ACETONITRILE
Acetonitrile is a colorless liquid with a sweet, ether-like odor and is widely used as a polar aprotic solvent in organic synthesis and chromatography due to its low viscosity and high elution strength.
Acetonitrile is a highly volatile and flammable solvent, miscible with water and many organic solvents, and is commonly employed in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, fibers, and resins, as well as in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Acetonitrile is toxic and can be metabolized into hydrogen cyanide and thiocyanate; it is used as a solvent and intermediate in various industrial and laboratory applications, including the extraction of fatty acids, the production of vitamin B1, and the synthesis of organic compounds.
CAS Number: 75-05-8
EC Number: 200-835-2
Molecular Formula: CH3CN
Molecular Mass: 41.0
Synonyms: Acetonitril, Acetonitrile, Acetonitrile IMDG OR, Acetonitrile technical grade, acetonitrile-, acetonitrile; cyanomethane, Acetonitrile, Acetronitrile, Acetronitrile, Actonitrile, AKS-12, cianuro de metilo, cyanomethane, Cyanure de méthyle, etanonitrile, ethanenitrile, Methyl cyanide, Methyl cyanide, Acetonitrile, Ethyl nitrile, Cyanomethane, ACN, 200-664-3, 200-835-2, 232-148-9, 741857, 75-05-8, Acetonitril, Acetonitrile, Acetonitrilo, Alcohol Determination - Acetonitrile, Amidite Diluent, Asetonitril, cianometano, cianuro di metile, cyanomethane, Cyanure de methyl, Degassed and low oxygen acetonitrile, etanonitrile, Ethane nitrile, Ethanenitrile, ethanonitrile, Ethyl nitrile, MeCN, Methane, cyano-, methyl cyanide, Methylidyne, cyano-, Methylkyanid, MFCD00001878, NC1, NCMe, Residual Solvent - Acetonitrile, Residual Solvent Class 2 - Acetonitrile, 18605-40-8, 1-Aminoethane, Acetonitrile ACS, Acetonitrile EMPROVE(R) ESSENTIAL, Acetonitrile HPLC grade, Acetonitrile LC-MS, Acetonitrile Non UV, Acetonitrile with 0.05% (v:v) Trifluoroacetic acid, Acetonitrile with 0.1% (v/v) Formic acid, Acetonitrile with 0.1% (v:v) trifluoroacetic acid, Acetonitrile WITH 0.1per cent AMMONIUM ACETATE
Acetonitrile is a simple organic compound with the chemical formula CH₃CN.
Acetonitrile is the simplest organic nitrile and is commonly known as methyl cyanide.
Acetonitrile is a colorless liquid with a sweet, ether-like odor and is miscible with water and most organic solvents.
Acetonitrile is a nitrile that is hydrogen cyanide in which the hydrogen has been replaced by a methyl group.
Acetonitrile has a role as a polar aprotic solvent and an EC 3.5.1.4 (amidase) inhibitor.
Acetonitrile is an aliphatic nitrile and a volatile organic compound.
Acetonitrile has many uses, including as a solvent, for spinning fibers, and in lithium batteries.
Acetonitrile is primarily found in air from automobile exhaust and manufacturing facilities.
Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure results in irritation of mucous membranes.
Chronic (long-term) exposure results in central nervous system effects, such as headaches, numbness, and tremors.
Acetonitrile is predominantly used as a solvent in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, for spinning fibers and for casting and molding of plastic materials, in lithium batteries, for the extraction of fatty acids from animal and vegetable oils, and in chemical laboratories for the detection of materials such as pesticide residues.
Acetonitrile is a toxic, colorless liquid with an ether-like odor and a sweet, burnt taste.
Acetonitrile is an extremely dangerous substance and must be handled with caution as Acetonitrile can cause severe health effects and/or death.
Acetonitrile is also known as cyanomethane, ethyl nitrile, ethanenitrile, methanecarbonitrile, acetronitrile cluster and methyl cyanide.
Acetonitrile is easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames and gives off highly toxic hydrogen cyanide fumes when heated.
Acetonitrile dissolves easily in water.
Acetonitrile can react with water, steam or acids to produce flammable vapors that can form explosive mixtures when exposed to air.
The vapors are heavier than air and can travel to low or confined areas.
Containers of the liquid can explode when heated.
Acetonitrile, an aliphatic nitrile, is widely used as an organic solvent and intermediate in organic syntheses.
Acetonitrile is transparent to UV-visible light, which makes Acetonitrile highly applicable in spectrophotometric and fluorimetric techniques.
MeCN is utilized as a mobile phase component in many chromatographic techniques, due to Acetonitriles low viscosity, high elution strength and miscibility in water.
Acetonitrile also plays a major role as an extractant medium in liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction or microextraction.
Considered the simplest organic nitrile, acetonitrile is a colorless liquid with an aromatic odor.
Acetonitrile is also called methyl cyanide, and is a hydrogen cyanide in which a methyl group has replaced the hydrogen.
Acetonitrile is chemical formula is CH3CN and is a water-miscible polar aprotic solvent with several laboratory applications.
In particular, acetonitrile is a common mobile phase solvent in analytical and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Acetonitrile, also called methyl cyanide, is the simplest organic nitrile, miscible with water, methanol, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, acetone, ether, acetamide solutions, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, ethylene chloride and many unsaturated hydrocarbons.
Immiscible with many saturated hydrocarbons (petroleum fractions).
Acetonitrile is used as a solvent to dissolve organic compounds, as an extracting agent to split hydrocarbons by extractive rectification, as a raw material for organic synthesis and also for production of vitamin B1, in textile industry and for extracting resins, fenols and colouring substances from hydrocarbons and oil. Also used in agrochemical field.
Acetonitrile is used as a general purpose solvent for many compounds.
Acetonitrile is used in the production of fibers, rubbers, and resins.
Acetonitrile is replacing acrylonitrile, an important starting material in the manufacture of fabrics, plastics, and synthetic rubber.
Acetonitrile is used as a chemical intermediate in pesticide, perfume and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Acetonitrile is used in high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis.
Acetonitrile is used in extraction and refining of copper.
Acetonitrile is a medium polarity solvent has low UV absorbance and is stable towards many types of organic reactions.
Acetonitrile’s commonly used as an eluent for LC analysis and as a solvent/ diluent for biochemical reagents and reactions.
Acetonitrile is the simplest organic nitrile, usually also called as nitrile methyl cyanide and methane.
Acetonitrile is a colorless transparent liquid at room temperature.
Acetonitrile is highly volatile, with special smell like ether, and flammable with flame burning brightly.
Acetonitrile is mutually soluble in water, methanol, carbon tetrachloride, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, ethylene dichloride, and many other non-saturated hydrocarbon solvents.
Acetonitrile is toxic and can be metabolized into hydrogen cyanide and thiocyanate.
Acetonitrile is a good solvent with excellent performance and is an important organic intermediate.
Acetonitrile is also widely used as a polar aprotic solvent.
The biggest application of acetonitrile is as a solvent which can be used as the solvents for the synthesis of vitamin A, cortisone, carbon amine drugs and their intermediates solvent.
Acetonitrile also used as an active medium solvent in the manufacture of vitamin B1 and amino acids.
Acetonitrile can substitute chlorinated solvents as a vinyl coating, an extracting agent of fatty acid, a alcohol denaturant, the extracting agent of butadiene, and the solvent of acrylonitrile synthetic fibers.
Acetonitrile also has a lot of applications in fabric dyeing, light industry, spice manufacturing, and photographic materials manufacturing.
Organic nitriles act as solvents and are reacted further for various application including:
Extraction solvent for fatty acids, oils and unsaturated hydrocarbons,
Solvent for spinning and casting and extractive distillation based on Acetonitrile selective miscibility with organic compounds,
Removing agent of colouring matters and aromatic alcohols,
Non-aqueous solvent for titrations and for inorganic salts,
Recrystallization of steroids,
Parent compound for organic synthesis,
Solvent or chemical intermediate in biochemistry ( pesticide sequencing and DNA synthesis),
High-pressure liquid chromatographic analysis,
Catalyst and component of transition-metal complex catalysts,
Stabilizer for chlorinated solvents,
Chemical intermediate and solvent for perfumes and pharmaceuticals.
Uses of Acetonitrile:
Acetonitrile is the raw material for preparing orthoacetate.
Acetonitrile is also used as the intermediate of producing DV-acid methyl ester and 2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propenyl-2,2-dimethyl cyclopropanecarboxylate.
Acetonitrile can also be used as the raw materials of making pyrimidine derivatives which is the intermediate of sulfonylurea herbicides.
Moreover, Acetonitrile can be used for making vitamin B1 in the field of pharmaceutical industry and as the extraction agent of C4 fraction in the synthetic rubber industry.
Acetonitrile is used as nitrile rubber monomer.
Acetonitrile is used for pharmaceutical industry and extraction of carbon IV.
As standard reference in chromatographic analysis
Also as solvent and stationary phase for gas chromatography.
Acetonitrile is as a solvent such as solvents for butadiene extraction, solvent for synthetic fibers and solvents for some special paints.
In the oil industry, acetonitrile is used as the solvent for removing tar, phenol and other substances from petroleum hydrocarbons.
Acetonitrile is also used as the solvent for extracting fatty acids from vegetable and animal oil in the fatty acid industry, and used as the reaction medium of the recrystallization of steroidal drugs in medicine industry.
The binary azeotropic mixtures of acetonitrile and water are often used when a polar solvent of high dielectric constant is demanded: containing 84% acetonitrile, boiling point: 76 °C.
Acetonitrile is used as the intermediate of pharmaceutical (vitamin B1) and spices, as the raw materials for making the synergist of triazine nitrogenous fertilizer, and also as a denaturant for ethyl alcohol.
Moreover, Acetonitrile can also be used for synthesizing ethylamine, acetic acid, etc., and have many applications in textile dyeing and light industry.
Acetonitrile is used as the solvent of most inorganic compounds.
Acetonitrile is also used as the solvent for spectrophotometric measurement, as a non-aqueous solvent, and as the diluents for determination of the carboxyl group.
Furthermore, Acetonitrile is also applied in recrystallization of steroids and extraction of fatty acid, and also used as the solvents of High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Acetonitrile is used to make pharmaceuticals, perfumes, rubber products, pesticides, acrylic nail removers and batteries.
Acetonitrile is also used to extract fatty acids from animal and vegetable oils. Before working with acetonitrile, employee training should be provided on safe handling and storage procedures.
Acetonitrile has many uses, including as a solvent, for spinning fibers, and in lithium batteries.
Acetonitrile is primarily found in air from automobile exhaust and manufacturing facilities.
Acetonitrile is predominantly used as a solvent in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, for spinning fibers and for casting and molding of plastic materials, in lithium batteries, for the extraction of fatty acids from animal and vegetable oils, and in chemical laboratories for the detection of materials such as pesticide residues.
Acetonitrile is also used in dyeing textiles and in coating compositions as a stabilizer for chlorinated solvents and in perfume production as a chemical intermediate.
Acetonitrile is a clear colorless liquid with a sweet ethereal odor.
Acetonitrile has an odor threshold of 170 ppm.
Acetonitrile is very soluble in water and is quite flammable.
Acetonitrile (CH3CN) is the simplest organic nitrile.
Acetonitrile is a commonly used polar aprotic solvent for organic reactions and the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and perfumes; used as a mobile phase in HPLC; available in various reagent grades.
Acetonitrile is used as a solvent in the production of vitamin B, pharmaceuticals, perfumes, pesticides, plastics and as a non-aqueous solvent for inorganic salts.
Acetonitrile is also used in the photographic industry, in the extraction and refining of copper, in the textile industry, in lithium batteries, for the extraction of fatty acids from animal and vegetable oils, and in analytical chemistry laboratories.
Acetonitrile, often abbreviated MeCN (methyl cyanide), is the chemical compound with the formula CH3CN.
This colourless liquid is the simplest organic nitrile (hydrogen cyanide is a simpler nitrile, but the cyanide anion is not classed as organic).
Acetonitrile is produced mainly as a byproduct of acrylonitrile manufacture.
Acetonitrile is used as a polar aprotic solvent in organic synthesis and in the purification of butadiene.
The N≡C−C skeleton is linear with a short C≡N distance of 1.16 Å.
Acetonitrile was first prepared in 1847 by the French chemist Jean-Baptiste Dumas.
Acetonitrile is a versatile solvent and reagent in chemical laboratories and industrial applications.
Some of Acetonitrile's key uses include:
Solvent in High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
Acetonitrile is widely used as a mobile phase solvent in HPLC due to its ability to dissolve a wide range of compounds, Acetonitrile's low UV absorbance, and its miscibility with water.
Acetonitrile is favored in analytical chemistry for separating, identifying, and quantifying compounds in complex mixtures.
Solvent in Organic Synthesis:
In organic chemistry, acetonitrile is used as a polar aprotic solvent, meaning Acetonitrile does not donate hydrogen bonds, making it ideal for reactions involving strong nucleophiles and electrophiles.
Acetonitrile is particularly useful in:
Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions
Oxidation and Reduction Reactions
Cycloadditions and Coupling Reactions
Starting Material for Chemical Synthesis:
Acetonitrile serves as a precursor to many other chemicals.
For example:
Acrylonitrile:
Acetonitrile can be hydrolyzed to produce acrylonitrile, an important monomer for producing plastics like polyacrylonitrile.
Pharmaceuticals:
Acetonitrile is used as a starting material or solvent in the synthesis of various drugs and pharmaceutical intermediates.
Extraction Solvent:
Due to its miscibility with both water and organic solvents, acetonitrile is used as an extraction solvent in the purification of organic compounds.
Acetonitrile is also employed in liquid-liquid extraction processes in both research and industry.
Electrolyte in Lithium Batteries:
Acetonitrile is used as a solvent for the electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries.
Acetonitrile's high dielectric constant and ability to dissolve lithium salts make it suitable for this application, contributing to the performance and efficiency of the batteries.
DNA and Protein Sequencing:
In molecular biology, acetonitrile is used in the sequencing of DNA and proteins.
Acetonitrile is involved in the purification and concentration of samples in techniques like mass spectrometry, where it helps in the analysis of biomolecules.
Manufacture of Perfumes and Cosmetics:
Acetonitrile is used in the production of perfumes and cosmetics as a solvent.
Acetonitrile helps in dissolving fragrance oils and other ingredients, allowing for the formulation of various products.
Cleaning Agent:
Due to its solvent properties, acetonitrile is used as a cleaning agent, particularly in cleaning laboratory equipment, precision instruments, and electronics.
Acetonitrile efficiently removes oils, greases, and other residues.
Industry Uses:
Acetonitrile is imported to be used as a raw material in the manufacture of high purity acetonitrile (purification distillation process) for use as an extraction solvent.
Adsorbents and absorbents,
Functional fluids (closed systems),
Intermediates,
Laboratory chemicals,
Solvents (for cleaning and degreasing),
Solvents (which become part of product formulation or mixture),
Pesticide production,
Pharmaceutical manufacture.
Consumer Uses:
Non-TSCA use,
Petrochemical,
Pharmaceutical,
Pesticide production.
Laboratory use:
Acetonitrile is also used as a polar aprotic solvent.
In inorganic chemistry, acetonitrile is widely used as a ligand which is abbreviated MeCN.
For example, acetonitrile complex PdCl2 (MeCN)2 can be produced by thermal polymerization of palladium chloride in the suspension of acetonitrile.
The high dielectric constant of acetonitrile makes Acetonitrile a popular cyclic voltammetry of solvents.
Acetonitrile can also be used as a two-carbon raw material in organic synthesis.
Acetonitrile can produce malononitrile via reaction with cyanogen chloride.
Acetonitrile can also be used as the mobile phase molecules which are commonly used in the column chromatography, more modernized high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
In the field of nuclear medicine, acetonitrile is used for the synthesis of radiopharmaceutical like fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron (FDG).
During the synthesis of FDG, the evaporation of acetonitrile can take away the water in the reaction system.
The exact content of acetonitrile in the reaction system plays a significant role in ensuring the synthesis efficiency and quality of medicines; at the same time, acetonitrile is also sued as the solvent and the matrix for the reaction system.
In addition, in the routine quality inspection of FDG, acetonitrile: water mixture (for example, 85% v/v) is also applied as the mobile phase of TLC.
Applications of Acetonitrile:
Acetonitrile is used mainly as a solvent in the purification of butadiene in refineries.
Specifically, acetonitrile is fed into the top of a distillation column filled with hydrocarbons including butadiene, and as the acetonitrile falls down through the column, Acetonitrile absorbs the butadiene which is then sent from the bottom of the tower to a second separating tower.
Heat is then employed in the separating tower to separate the butadiene.
In the laboratory, Acetonitrile is used as a medium-polarity solvent that is miscible with water and a range of organic solvents, but not saturated hydrocarbons.
Acetonitrile has a convenient liquid range and a high dielectric constant of 38.8.
With a dipole moment of 3.92 D, acetonitrile dissolves a wide range of ionic and nonpolar compounds and is useful as a mobile phase in HPLC and LC–MS.
Acetonitrile is widely used in battery applications because of Acetonitrile relatively high dielectric constant and ability to dissolve electrolytes.
For similar reasons Acetonitrile is a popular solvent in cyclic voltammetry.
Acetonitrile is ultraviolet transparency UV cutoff, low viscosity and low chemical reactivity make Acetonitrile a popular choice for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Acetonitrile plays a significant role as the dominant solvent used in the manufacture of DNA oligonucleotides from monomers.
Industrially, Acetonitrile is used as a solvent for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and photographic film.
Organic synthesis:
Acetonitrile is a common two-carbon building block in organic synthesis of many useful chemicals, including acetamidine hydrochloride, thiamine, and α-napthaleneacetic acid.
Acetonitriles reaction with cyanogen chloride affords malononitrile.
As an electron pair donor:
Acetonitrile has a free electron pair at the nitrogen atom, which can form many transition metal nitrile complexes.
Being weakly basic, Acetonitrile is an easily displaceable ligand.
For example, bis(acetonitrile)palladium dichloride is prepared by heating a suspension of palladium chloride in acetonitrile:
PdCl2 + 2 CH3CN → PdCl2(CH3CN)2
A related complex is [Cu(CH3CN)4]+.
The CH3CN groups in these complexes are rapidly displaced by many other ligands.
Acetonitrile also forms Lewis adducts with group 13 Lewis acids like boron trifluoride.
In superacids, Acetonitrile is possible to protonate acetonitrile.
Production of Acetonitrile:
Acetonitrile is a byproduct from the manufacture of acrylonitrile.
Most is combusted to support the intended process but an estimated several thousand tons are retained for the above-mentioned applications.
Production trends for acetonitrile thus generally follow those of acrylonitrile.
Acetonitrile can also be produced by many other methods, but these are of no commercial importance as of 2002.
Illustrative routes are by dehydration of acetamide or by hydrogenation of mixtures of carbon monoxide and ammonia.
In 1992, 14,700 tonnes (32,400,000 lb) of acetonitrile were produced in the US.
Chemical Structure of Acetonitrile:
Acetonitrile consists of a methyl group (-CH₃) attached to a cyano group (-CN).
The carbon-nitrogen triple bond in the cyano group makes acetonitrile a polar molecule, which contributes to Acetonitrile's solvent properties.
Chemical Properties of Acetonitrile:
Acetonitrile is very soluble in water.
Acetonitrile mixes with most organic solvents, e.g. alcohols, esters, acetone, ether, benzene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and many unsaturated hydrocarbons.
Acetonitrile does not mix with petroleum ether and many saturated hydrocarbons.
Acetonitrile is incompatible with water, acids, bases, oleum, perchlorates, nitrating agents, reducing agents and alkali metals.
Acetonitrile decomposes on contact with acids, water and steam, producing toxic fumes and flammable vapour.
Acetonitrile reacts with strong oxidants such as nitric acid, chromic acid and sodium peroxide, causing fire and explosion hazards.
Acetonitrile forms toxic fumes of hydrogen cyanide and nitrogen oxides on combustion.
Acetonitrile attacks some forms of plastics, rubber and coatings.
Acetonitrile is a solvent also known as methyl cyanide, cyanomethane, and ethanenitrile.
Acetonitrile is colorless, volatile (bp 82 °C), flammable (flash point 2 °C), and toxic.
Acetonitrile is miscible with water and most organic solvents except for some saturated hydrocarbons.
Acetonitrile is stable under conditions of normal use.
Acetonitrile is incompatible with acids, bases, nitrating agents, nitrogenfluorine compounds, oxidizers, perchlorates and sulfites.
Acetonitrile is a by-product of acrylonitrile manufacture.
Acetonitrile may also be formed by the combustion of wood and vegetation.
Acetonitrile is a liquid with an ether-like odour.
Acetonitrile is a volatile, highly polar solvent used to extract fatty acids and animal and vegetable oils.
Acetonitrile is used in the petrochemical industry in extractive distillation based on Acetonitrile selective miscibility with organic compounds.
Acetonitrile is used as a solvent for spinning synthetic fibres and in casting and moulding plastics.
In laboratories, Acetonitrile is widely used in high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis and as a solvent for DNA synthesis and peptide sequencing.
Acetonitrile is widely used as a solvent in the pharmaceutical industry for the formation of drugs.
Acetonitrile is also used for spinning fibers and molding and casting of plastic materials.
Acetonitrile is also used in lithium batteries, fatty acids extraction from animal and vegetable oils, and in the detection of materials, e.g., pesticide residues in the chemical industries.
Acetonitrile is also used to dye fabric and coat compositions.
Acetonitrile also serves as a chemical intermediate in perfume production.
Acetonitrile is widely used in lithium batteries, as a solvent, and for spinning fibers.
The polar nature of acetonitrile makes Acetonitrile a solvent for other organic compounds, and Acetonitrile high boiling point makes it ideal for allowing chemical reactions at even elevated temperatures.
Acetonitrile is primarily found in automobile and industrial exhaust.
Short-term inhalation exposure can cause mucous membrane irritation.
While, long-term exposure may cause headaches, tremors, and numbness.
Acetonitrile is used as a solvent for organic synthesis for a variety of purposes including pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, and fine chemicals.
Handling and Storage of Acetonitrile:
Handling:
Precautions:
Handle acetonitrile in a well-ventilated area, preferably under a chemical fume hood, to avoid inhalation of vapors.
Avoid contact with skin, eyes, and clothing.
Use appropriate PPE such as gloves, safety goggles, and lab coats.
Incompatibilities:
Avoid contact with strong acids, bases, oxidizing agents, and reducing agents, as acetonitrile may react violently with these substances.
Hygiene Measures:
Wash hands and any exposed skin thoroughly after handling acetonitrile.
Do not eat, drink, or smoke when handling the chemical.
Storage:
Storage Conditions:
Store acetonitrile in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area.
Keep the container tightly closed when not in use.
Store away from sources of ignition, heat, and direct sunlight.
Segregation:
Store away from incompatible materials such as strong oxidizing agents and bases.
Keep away from food and drink.
Containers:
Use containers made of materials compatible with acetonitrile, such as stainless steel or glass.
Ensure that storage containers are properly labeled.
Stability and Reactivity of Acetonitrile:
Stability:
Chemical Stability:
Acetonitrile is generally stable under normal conditions of storage and use.
Acetonitrile does not readily decompose at room temperature.
Shelf Life:
Acetonitrile has a relatively long shelf life if stored under recommended conditions.
Reactivity:
Incompatible Materials:
Acetonitrile reacts with strong acids, strong bases, oxidizing agents, and reducing agents.
Acetonitrile can form explosive mixtures with air at high temperatures.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
Decomposition of acetonitrile can produce toxic gases such as hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides.
Hazardous Reactions:
Polymerization:
Acetonitrile does not undergo hazardous polymerization.
Fire Risk:
In the presence of an ignition source, acetonitrile vapors can form explosive mixtures with air.
First Aid Measures of Acetonitrile:
General Advice:
Remove the affected person from the exposure area and provide fresh air.
Seek medical attention if symptoms persist or are severe.
Inhalation:
If inhaled, move the person to fresh air immediately.
If breathing is difficult, administer oxygen.
If the person is not breathing, perform artificial respiration.
Seek medical attention immediately.
Skin Contact:
In case of skin contact, remove contaminated clothing and shoes.
Rinse the affected skin area with plenty of water and soap for at least 15 minutes.
Seek medical attention if irritation develops.
Eye Contact:
If acetonitrile comes into contact with the eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting the upper and lower eyelids occasionally.
Seek medical attention if irritation or vision problems persist.
Ingestion:
If swallowed, do not induce vomiting.
Rinse the mouth with water and seek medical attention immediately.
If the person is conscious, give them water to dilute the chemical.
Firefighting Measures of Acetonitrile:
Flammability:
Acetonitrile is highly flammable with a flashpoint of around 2 °C (35.6 °F).
Extinguishing Media:
Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide (CO₂), or alcohol-resistant foam to extinguish fires involving acetonitrile.
Water spray can also be used to cool fire-exposed containers.
Special Hazards:
In the event of a fire, acetonitrile can produce toxic and irritating gases such as hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides.
Vapors may travel considerable distances to an ignition source and flash back.
Protective Equipment for Firefighters:
Firefighters should wear full protective gear, including a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), to avoid inhalation of toxic fumes.
Firefighting Instructions:
Cool containers with water spray to prevent rupture due to heat.
Keep people away from the fire and upwind to avoid inhalation of fumes.
Accidental Release Measures of Acetonitrile:
Personal Precautions:
Evacuate non-essential personnel from the area.
Ventilate the area well.
Avoid breathing vapors and prevent skin and eye contact.
Wear appropriate PPE, including gloves, goggles, and a respirator if needed.
Environmental Precautions:
Prevent the chemical from entering drains, watercourses, or soil.
Contain the spill to prevent environmental contamination.
Containment and Cleanup:
Small spills:
Absorb the spill with inert materials (e.g., sand, earth, vermiculite) and place Acetonitrile in a suitable container for disposal.
Large spills:
Dike the area to contain the spill.
Use water spray to reduce vapors, but avoid water runoff.
Dispose of the waste material according to local regulations.
Decontamination:
Clean the spill area thoroughly with soap and water after the bulk of the spill has been removed.
Exposure Controls/Personal Protective Equipment of Acetonitrile:
Exposure Limits:
OSHA PEL: 40 ppm (70 mg/m³)
NIOSH REL: 20 ppm (34 mg/m³)
ACGIH TLV: 20 ppm (34 mg/m³)
Engineering Controls:
Use acetonitrile in a well-ventilated area, such as a fume hood, to keep airborne concentrations below the recommended exposure limits.
Ensure that local exhaust ventilation is used where possible.
Personal Protective Equipment:
Respiratory Protection:
If exposure limits are exceeded, use an approved respirator with organic vapor cartridges.
In case of inadequate ventilation, use a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
Skin Protection:
Wear chemical-resistant gloves, such as those made from butyl rubber, nitrile, or Viton, to prevent skin contact.
Consider using additional protective clothing if extensive contact is possible.
Eye Protection:
Wear safety goggles or a face shield to protect against splashes and vapors.
Body Protection:
Wear protective clothing, such as a lab coat, apron, or coveralls, to protect against spills and splashes.
Hygiene Measures:
Wash hands and face thoroughly after handling acetonitrile, especially before eating, drinking, or smoking.
Do not reuse contaminated clothing; wash or dispose of Acetonitrile properly.
Identifiers of Acetonitrile:
IUPAC Name: Acetonitrile
Common Name: Methyl cyanide
Chemical Formula: CH₃CN
Molecular Weight: 41.05 g/mol
CAS Number: 75-05-8
EC Number (EINECS): 200-835-2
UN Number: 1648 (for transport of hazardous material)
PubChem CID: 6342
RTECS Number: AL7700000
Properties of Acetonitrile:
Molecular Formula: CH₃CN
Molar Mass: 41.05 g/mol
Appearance: Colorless liquid
Odor: Sweet, ether-like odor
Density: 0.786 g/cm³ at 20 °C
Melting Point: −45 °C
Boiling Point: 81.6 °C
Viscosity: 0.36 cP at 25 °C
Surface Tension: 29.32 mN/m at 20 °C
Refractive Index: 1.3441 at 20 °C
Vapor Pressure: 88.8 mmHg at 20 °C
Vapor Density: 1.42 (relative to air)
Flash Point: 2 °C (35.6 °F) (closed cup)
Autoignition Temperature: 524 °C (975 °F)
Solubility in Water: Miscible (fully soluble in water)
Partition Coefficient (log P): -0.34
Melting Point: -48°C
Boiling Point: 82°c
Specific Gravity: 0.786
Vapour Density: 1.41
Formula: C2H3N / CH3CN
Molecular mass: 41.0
Boiling point: 82°C
Melting point: -46°C
Relative density (water = 1): 0.8
Solubility in water, g/100ml at 20°C: 1390 (very good)
Vapour pressure, kPa at 25°C: 9.9
Relative vapour density (air = 1): 1.4
Relative density of the vapour/air-mixture at 20°C (air = 1): 1.04
Flash point: 2°C c.c.
Auto-ignition temperature: 524°C
Explosive limits, vol% in air: 3.0-17
Octanol/water partition coefficient as log Pow: -0.3
Viscosity: 0.35 cP at 20°C
