Acetonitrile
Description
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. It 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.
Substance details
Substance name: Acetonitrile
CASR number: 75-05-8
Molecular formula: CH3CN
Synonyms: Cyanomethane, ethyl nitrile, methyl cyanide, ethane nitrile, methane carbonitrile, AN, ethanonitrile
Physical properties
Acetonitrile is a flammable colourless liquid with a sweet ether-like odour which is detectable at ppm levels.
Melting Point: -48°C
Boiling Point: 82°c
Specific Gravity: 0.786
Vapour Density: 1.41
Chemical properties
Acetonitrile is very soluble in water. It 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. It attacks some forms of plastics, rubber and coatings.
Further information
The National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) holds data for all sources of acetonitrile emissions in Australia.
Description
Acetonitrile is toxic to humans. Ingestion is highly unlikely under normal conditions. Inhalation of acetonitrile may cause irritation of mucous membranes and inhalation of higher concentrations can produce flushing of the face, chest tightness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, shortness of breath and death. Cyanosis (blue-grey discolouration of the skin and lips) may be a delayed symptom. Chronic (long-term) inhalation exposure to acetonitrile results in cyanide poisoning from metabolic release of cyanide after absorption. The major effects consist of those on the central nervous system (CNS), such as headaches, numbness and tremors. Other manifestations of repeated exposure may be enlargement of the thyroid gland or damage to liver and kidneys. Skin contact may also produce cyanide poisoning and dermatitis. Acetonitrile vapour can cause redness of the eyes.
Entering the body
Exposure may occur by inhalation of vapour and by skin contact. Absorption through intact skin occurs rapidly. Ingestion is unlikely.
Exposure
Only occupational exposure in industries using acetonitrile is relevant.
Workplace exposure standards
Safe Work Australia sets the workplace exposure standard for acetonitrile through the workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants:
- Maximum eight hour time weighted average (TWA): 40 parts per million (67 mg/m3)
- Maximum short term exposure limit (STEL): 60 parts per million (101 mg/m3)
These standards are only appropriate for use in workplaces and are not limited to any specific industry or operation. Make sure you understand how to interpret the standards before you use them.
Drinking water guidelines
There is no guideline for acetonitrile in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
Description
Acetonitrile is slightly persistent in water, with a half-life of between 2 to 20 days. Acetonitrile has slight acute and chronic toxicity to aquatic life. No data are available on the short-term and long-term effects of acetonitrile on plants or land animals.
Entering the environment
Acetonitrile can be transported in air as vapour, and in water.
Where it ends up
Acetonitrile vapour will be diluted in air to low levels which are harmless to the environment. Acetonitrile completely dissolves in water, decomposing over time to produce fumes and vapour which are diluted in air.
Environmental guidelines
No national guidelines.
Industry sources
Acetonitrile may enter the environment through manufacturing effluent, municipal waste treatment plant discharges or spills.
Diffuse sources, and industry sources included in diffuse emissions data
Sub-threshold facilities.
Natural sources
There are no natural sources for acetonitrile.
Transport sources
There are no mobile sources for acetonitrile.
Consumer products
There are no consumer products that contain acetonitrile.
Sources used in preparing this information
- Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) (1992), Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters.
- ChemFinder WebServer Project (1995), Acetonitrile (accessed, June, 1999)
- Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS, March 3, 1999), Acetonitrile (accessed, June, 1999)
- International Chemical Safety Cards (1993), Acetonitrile (accessed, June, 1999)
- National Environment Protection Council (1998), National Environment Protection Measure for the National Pollutant Inventory. (accessed, March, 1999)
- Open Data Solutions, EPA factsheets for regulated toxic chemicals (January 31, 1986), Acetonitrile (accessed, June, 1999)
- US EPA TTNWeb and US OAQPS UATW Health Effects Notebook for Hazardous Air Pollutants Acetonitrile (accessed, June, 1999)
- Safe Work Australia, Workplace exposure standards for airborne contaminants, accessed July 2018.
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (2011) - Updated October 2017, accessed May 2018