Acetonitrile: Overview
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.
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