Acetonitrile
Acetonitrile[edit | edit source]
Acetonitrile, also known as methyl cyanide, is a chemical compound with the formula CH_CN. It is the simplest organic nitrile, consisting of a methyl group attached to a cyano group. Acetonitrile is a colorless liquid with a distinctive ether-like odor. It is produced mainly as a byproduct of acrylonitrile manufacture.
Properties[edit | edit source]
Acetonitrile is a polar solvent with a high dielectric constant. It is miscible with water and most organic solvents, making it a versatile solvent in the laboratory. Its boiling point is 81.6 °C, and it has a melting point of _45.7 °C. Acetonitrile is known for its ability to dissolve a wide range of ionic and non-ionic compounds.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Acetonitrile is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as a solvent for the synthesis of various drugs. It is also employed in the production of batteries, as it is a component of the electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries. In the field of chromatography, acetonitrile is used as a mobile phase in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) due to its low viscosity and UV transparency.
Safety[edit | edit source]
Acetonitrile is classified as a hazardous chemical. It is flammable and can form explosive mixtures with air. Exposure to acetonitrile can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, and it can cause symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and nausea. In severe cases, exposure can lead to cyanide poisoning, as acetonitrile is metabolized to hydrogen cyanide in the body.
Production[edit | edit source]
The primary method of acetonitrile production is as a byproduct of the ammoxidation of propylene to produce acrylonitrile. This process involves the reaction of propylene, ammonia, and oxygen over a catalyst. The acetonitrile is then separated from the acrylonitrile and other byproducts through distillation.
Environmental Impact[edit | edit source]
Acetonitrile is considered to have a low environmental impact due to its rapid degradation in the atmosphere. It is broken down by photochemical reactions, resulting in a relatively short atmospheric lifetime. However, care must be taken to prevent its release into water bodies, as it can be toxic to aquatic life.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
