Acetonitrile
Acetonitrile is a colorless, volatile, and flammable liquid organic compound with the chemical formula CH₃CN (or C₂H₃N) and a molecular weight of 41.05 g/mol, known for its ether-like or aromatic odor and high solubility in water and most organic solvents.[1] It has a boiling point of 81.6°C (179°F), a melting point of -45.4°C (-49°F), a density of 0.786 g/cm³ at 20°C, and a flash point of 5.5°C (42°F), making it less dense than water but capable of forming explosive vapors when heated.[2] Primarily produced as a byproduct of acrylonitrile manufacturing through processes like the ammoxidation of propylene, acetonitrile serves as a key industrial chemical with an annual global production exceeding 200,000 metric tons.[3] As a polar aprotic solvent, acetonitrile is extensively used in organic synthesis, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) due to its ability to dissolve a wide range of compounds without donating protons.[1] It plays a critical role in the production of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, dyes, plastics, and batteries, including lithium-ion batteries, as well as in the extraction of hydrocarbons and the separation of fatty acids from vegetable oils.[3] Additionally, it is employed in the manufacture of photographic films, perfumes, rubber products, and pesticides, and historically as a rodenticide and alcohol denaturant.[4] Despite its utility, acetonitrile is toxic and poses significant health and safety risks; it is harmful if swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, with an odor threshold of 170 ppm, and metabolizes in the body to hydrogen cyanide, potentially causing central nervous system depression, respiratory failure, and cyanide poisoning.[3] It reacts violently with strong oxidizing agents and requires careful handling in well-ventilated areas to mitigate fire and explosion hazards from its low flash point and vapor density greater than air.[5] Environmentally, acetonitrile enters the atmosphere primarily from automobile exhaust and industrial emissions, where it can persist but is biodegradable under aerobic conditions.[3]Properties
Molecular structure
Acetonitrile has the chemical formula CH₃CN and a molecular weight of 41.05 g/mol.[1] The molecule adopts a linear structure along its C-C≡N backbone, with the methyl carbon bonded to three hydrogen atoms in a tetrahedral arrangement. The C-C bond length is approximately 1.46 Å, the C≡N triple bond length is approximately 1.16 Å, and the bond angles around the cyano group are approximately 180°, consistent with the sp hybridization of the cyano carbon.[6][7] The carbon atom in the methyl group (CH₃-) is sp³ hybridized, forming four sigma bonds: three C-H bonds and one C-C bond. In contrast, the cyano carbon is sp hybridized, utilizing two sp hybrid orbitals to form sigma bonds with the methyl carbon and nitrogen, while the remaining p orbitals form the pi bonds of the triple bond with nitrogen. The nitrogen atom is also sp hybridized, with its lone pair occupying an sp orbital.[8] This electronic arrangement results in a significant dipole moment of 3.92 D, primarily arising from the electronegative nitrogen atom pulling electron density toward itself in the polar C≡N bond.[9] The Lewis structure of acetonitrile is represented as H₃C–C≡N, where the cyano carbon shares one single bond with the methyl group and a triple bond with nitrogen; the nitrogen bears a lone pair of electrons. The nitrile group exhibits resonance, with two major contributing structures that delocalize the electron density: \chemfig{H_3C-C#N: <-> H_3C-C^{+}=[::60]N^{-}} This resonance stabilizes the molecule and enhances the polarity of the C≡N bond, with the cyano carbon bearing a partial positive charge and the nitrogen a partial negative charge.[10]Physical properties
Acetonitrile is a colorless liquid at room temperature, exhibiting a faint ether-like odor due to trace impurities or its inherent chemical nature. Its boiling point is 81.6 °C at standard atmospheric pressure, while the melting point is -45.4 °C, indicating a relatively wide liquid range suitable for various laboratory and industrial applications. The density of acetonitrile is 0.786 g/cm³ at 20 °C, which is lower than that of water, contributing to its utility as a less dense solvent. The refractive index of acetonitrile is 1.344 at 20 °C, a value that reflects its optical properties in spectroscopic analyses. Its viscosity is 0.34 cP at 25 °C, making it a low-viscosity fluid that flows easily. Additionally, the vapor pressure is 73 mmHg at 20 °C, and the heat of vaporization is 29.75 kJ/mol, parameters that influence its volatility and evaporation behavior in open systems. Thermodynamic properties include a molar heat capacity of 91.7 J/mol·K for the liquid phase at 25 °C, which describes its capacity to store thermal energy.| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Colorless liquid, ether-like odor | Room temperature | PubChem |
| Boiling point | 81.6 °C | 1 atm | NIST |
| Melting point | -45.4 °C | - | NIST |
| Density | 0.786 g/cm³ | 20 °C | NIST |
| Refractive index | 1.344 | 20 °C | NIST |
| Viscosity | 0.34 cP | 25 °C | NIST |
| Vapor pressure | 73 mmHg | 20 °C | NIST |
| Heat of vaporization | 29.75 kJ/mol | Boiling point | NIST |
| Molar heat capacity (liquid) | 91.7 J/mol·K | 25 °C | NIST |