Acetonitrile

Acetonitrile
General
Other names	Ethanenitrile Methyl cyanide
Molecular formula	CH₃CN
SMILES	CC#N
Molar mass	41.05 g/mol
Appearance	colorless liquid
CAS number	^*
Properties
Density and phase	0.786 g/ml, liquid
Solubility in water	Miscible
Melting point	−48 °C
Boiling point	82 °C
Acidity (pK_a)	?
Basicity (pK_b)	?
Viscosity	0.345 cP at 25 °C
Thermodynamic data
Standard enthalpy of formation Δ_fH^o_liquid	? kJ/mol
Standard enthalpy of combustion Δ_cH^o_liquid	? kJ/mol
Standard molar entropy S^o_liquid	? J.K⁻¹.mol⁻¹
Hazards
EU classification	Flammable (F) Harmful (Xn)
R-phrases	, ,
S-phrases	, ,
NFPA 704
Supplementary data page
Structure and properties	n, ε_r, etc.
Thermodynamic data	Phase behaviour Solid, liquid, gas
Spectral data	UV, IR, NMR, MS
Regulatory data	Flash point, RTECS number, etc.
Related compounds
Related nitriles	Propionitrile Butyronitrile
Related compounds	Acetic acid Acetamide Ethylamine
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Chemical infobox

Acetonitrile is an organic molecule, often used as a solvent, with the chemical formula of CH₃CN. Also known as methyl cyanide, it is the simplest of the organic nitriles.

At normal temperatures, acetonitrile is a colorless liquid. Its molecular weight is 41.05, with a melting temperature of -45 °C and a boiling temperature of 81.6 °C. The four main producers of acetonitrile in the United States are: BP Chemicals, Dupont, J.T. Baker Chemical, and Sterling Chemicals. In 1992, 32.3 million pounds (14,700 t) of acetonitrile were produced in the U.S.

Its use is as an extraction solvent for butadiene. It is also used as a chemical intermediate in pesticide manufacturing, and as a general solvent for many compounds. It is also used as a starting material for producing compounds like acetophenone, thiamine, etc. Finally, it can be used in the production of acrylic fibers, perfumes, nitrile rubber, and ABS resins. Trends for acetonitrile generally follow those of acrylonitrile.

Acetonitrile is absorbed through oral, dermal, or inhalation exposure. It is metabolized into hydrogen cyanide and thiocyanate, which pose a serious health risk. Acetonitrile liquid or vapor is an acute irritant, irritating the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. At high doses, death can occur due to respiratory failure. Lower doses have symptoms similar to those of cyanide poisoning, including salivation, nausea, unconsciousness, convulsions, etc. Prolonged exposure to acetonitrile has possible symptoms, including anorexia, headaches, and other related symptoms.

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