asetonitriilin

Asetonitriili, also known as methyl cyanide, is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH3CN. It is a colorless liquid with a distinct ether-like odor and is miscible with water and most organic solvents. Asetonitriili is a byproduct of acrylonitrile production.

The primary industrial use of asetonitriili is as a solvent in various applications. It is widely employed in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for separating and analyzing complex mixtures. Its low UV cutoff and good solvency make it suitable for this purpose. Asetonitriili also serves as a solvent in the pharmaceutical industry for drug synthesis and purification, and in the electronics industry for etching and cleaning.

In organic synthesis, asetonitriili is a versatile reagent. It can participate in various reactions, including alkylations, acylations, and cycloadditions. It is particularly useful as a source of the cyanomethyl group. Asetonitriili is also used as a solvent for electrochemical reactions and in the production of certain dyes and perfumes.

Asetonitriili is flammable and its vapors can form explosive mixtures with air. It is also toxic if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. Proper handling procedures, including adequate ventilation and personal protective equipment, are essential when working with this chemical. In the environment, asetonitriili can be degraded by microbial action.