Acetonitrile (CAS 75-05-8) Properties
Acetonitrile, with the chemical formula CH₃CN, is a colorless, transparent liquid solvent. It exhibits strong polarity and is highly soluble in water and numerous organic solvents such as ethanol and chloroform. Its low boiling point of 81°C facilitates easy distillation and recovery. Acetonitrile also possesses good stability, making it commonly used as a reaction solvent.
Acetonitrile (CAS 75-05-8) Physical Properties and Applications
Acetonitrile possesses low boiling and melting points, remaining liquid at room temperature. It also serves as an excellent solvent capable of dissolving various organic compounds and inorganic salts. Consequently, acetonitrile finds extensive use in the chemical industry for synthetic fibers, synthetic rubber, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, dyes, and other fields. Furthermore, acetonitrile serves as an extractant, reaction medium, and solvent in chromatographic analysis.
Acetonitrile Disadvantages
Acetonitrile is a commonly used organic solvent, but its use and handling present several significant drawbacks and health hazards, primarily including the following aspects:
- Toxicity: Acetonitrile is highly toxic. Inhalation of its vapors or skin contact can rapidly cause acute poisoning. Its metabolism in the body releases cyanide ions, which interfere with cellular respiration and cause tissue hypoxia. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, and impaired consciousness. Severe cases may lead to coma, respiratory failure, or death.
- Flammability and Safety Risks: Acetonitrile is a flammable liquid whose vapors can form explosive mixtures with air. Exposure to open flames, high heat, or contact with oxidizers poses risks of combustion or even explosion.
- Environmental and Handling Risks: Acetonitrile leaks entering sewers or the natural environment may cause contamination. Its combustion or decomposition produces toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrogen cyanide, posing threats to the environment and emergency responders.
What type of solvent is ACN?
Acetonitrile or methyl cyanide is a highly volatile, aprotic polar organic solvent.
Acetonitrile (CAS 75-05-8), as a polar organic solvent, has extensive applications. Below are several common application areas:
Chemical Synthesis
Acetonitrile serves as a common solvent and dehydrating agent in numerous organic synthesis reactions.
Pharmaceuticals
Acetonitrile is a widely used solvent in the pharmaceutical industry, employed in the production of antibiotics, hormones, vitamins, drug intermediates, and more.
Metal Surface Treatment
During metal surface processing, acetonitrile forms complexes with impurity ions in metals, facilitating the removal of surface contaminants and pollutants.
Other Applications
Acetonitrile also serves as a solvent or reaction intermediate for dyes, coatings, plastics, rubber, textiles, and more. Additionally, it is used for sample pretreatment in instrumental analyses such as gas chromatography, NMR, and infrared spectroscopy.
Why choose Gneebio?
Gneebio, with decades of experience in research, manufacturing, and marketing of organic chemicals, is one of the leading exporters of chemical products in Henan, China. Over the years, we have been committed to the chemical industries of intermediates, plastic additives, water treatment chemicals and fungicides, and daily chemicals.
Advantages
1) Small batch shipment and sub-packaging are available.
2). Provide COA, MSDS, Health Certificate, and Origin Certificate.
3) Quality first, service best.
Click here to get the latest global Acetonitrile (CAS 75-05-8) market prices for 2026.