Acetonitrile (ACN), a versatile organic solvent and chemical synthesis intermediate, has the chemical formula CH₃CN or C₂H₃N.
Acetonitrile (ACN) Solvent Chemical Properties
Acetonitrile appears as a colorless liquid with a pungent odor and a molecular weight of 41.05. Its melting point at room temperature is -45.7°C, while its boiling point ranges between 81-82°C. Its relative density is 0.79 (compared to water = 1). This solvent is highly volatile and emits a distinctive ether-like aroma.
Acetonitrile (ACN) Solvent Physical Properties
Solubility
Acetonitrile (ACN) is mutually soluble with water, alcohols, and numerous other organic solvents.
Stability
Acetonitrile (ACN) is generally resistant to oxidation or reduction under normal conditions. However, its carbon-nitrogen triple bond is prone to addition reactions, such as with hydrogen halides, hydrogen sulfide, alcohols, acids, or acid anhydrides.
Hydrolysis Reaction
Under acidic or basic catalysis, ACN undergoes hydrolysis to form amides. Further hydrolysis yields the corresponding acids.
Reduction Reaction
ACN can also undergo reduction to produce ethylamines.
Reaction with Metals
ACN Solvent reacts with sodium metal, sodium alcoholates, and sodium amides.
Uses of Acetonitrile (ACN)
- Acetonitrile (ACN) is used in the chemical analysis and instrumental analysis industries. It serves as an organic modifier and solvent for thin-layer chromatography, paper chromatography, spectroscopy, and polarography.
- It serves as an extraction solvent for hydrocarbons and is widely used primarily in extraction distillation processes to separate butadiene from C4 hydrocarbons.
- Acetonitrile (ACN) Solvent is also employed for separating other hydrocarbons, such as propylene, isoprene, and methylacetylene from hydrocarbon fractions. Acetonitrile is also employed in specialized separations, such as extracting fatty acids from vegetable oils and fish liver oils. This process yields lighter-colored, purer oils with improved odor while preserving vitamin content.
- In the pharmaceutical industry, Acetonitrile (ACN) serves as an intermediate for synthesizing various drugs and pesticides. In pharmaceuticals, it synthesizes key intermediates for drugs including vitamin B1, metronidazole, ethambutol, ambenadine, adenine, and dextromethorphan.
- In pesticides, acetonitrile synthesizes intermediates for pyrethroid insecticides and pesticides like etoxazole.
- Acetonitrile is a highly polar organic solvent with excellent solubility in fats, inorganic salts, organic compounds, and polymers. It effectively removes residues such as oils, waxes, fingerprints, etchants, and flux residues from silicon wafers. Therefore, high-purity acetonitrile can be used as a semiconductor cleaning agent.
- Acetonitrile (ACN) also finds applications in other industries as an organic synthesis raw material, a catalyst, or a component of transition metal complex catalysts. Additionally, it is used in textile dyeing and coating formulations, and serves as an effective stabilizer for chlorinated solvents.
- Acetonitrile (ACN) undergoes typical nitrile reactions and is employed in the preparation of numerous nitrogen-containing compounds, making it a crucial organic intermediate.
Gneebio: A Trusted Bulk Supplier & Distributor
As a leading manufacturer and exporter of fine chemicals, Henan Gneebio supplies Acetonitrile (CAS 75-05-8) that meets both industrial- and laboratory-grade standards. We serve customers across the rubber, adhesives, and coatings industries, ensuring consistent quality, reliable logistics, and professional technical support.
Our Advantages:
- ISO9001 / ISO14001 / GMP certification available
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- Support for COA / MSDS / TDS / SGS testing
- Compliant with EU REACH requirements
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- Single batch supply ≥20-200 MT, annual contracts supported
