Propanenitrile

Propionitrile[1][2]
IUPAC name

Propanenitrile
Other names

ethyl cyanide; cyanoethane; propylnitrile; propionitrile
Identifiers
CAS number 107-12-0 Y
PubChem 7854
ChEMBL CHEMBL15871 N
Jmol-3D images Image 1
Properties
Molecular formula C3H5N
Molar mass 55.08 g/mol
Appearance Clear liquid
Density 0.7918 g/cm3 at 20 °C
Melting point

-91.8 °C, 181 K, -133 °F
Boiling point

97.2 °C, 370 K, 207 °F
 N (verify) (what is: Y/N?)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Propanenitrile, Propionitrile or ethyl cyanide, is a nitrile with the molecular formula C2H5CN. It is a clear liquid with an ethereal, sweet odor.

Contents

Production

Propanenitrile can be produced by the dehydration of propionamide, by catalytic reduction of acrylonitrile, or by distilling ethyl sulfate and potassium cyanide.

In 1979, the Kalama (Vega) plant in Beaufort, South Carolina experienced an explosion during the production of propanenitrile by nickel-catalyzed reduction of acrylonitrile.[3] This site is now one of the two Superfund cleanup sites in South Carolina.[3]

Toxicity

Propanenitrile is poisonous when heated to decomposition or upon treatment with acid. Propanenitrile has been determined to be teratogenic due to the metabolic release of cyanide.[4]

References

  1. ^ Merck Index, 11th Edition, 7839
  2. ^ CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 52nd Ed., p. D-153
  3. ^ a b First Five-Year Review Report for Kalama Specialty Chemicals, Beaufort, Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States Environmental Protection Agency
  4. ^ Willhite, Calvin C.; Ferm, Vergil H.; Smith, Roger P. (1981). "Teratogenic effects of aliphatic nitriles". Teratology 23 (3): 317–323. doi:10.1002/tera.1420230306. PMID 6266064. 

External links