Acetonitrile (CH₃CN) is a colorless, transparent, volatile liquid with a pungent odor. As a vital organic solvent and chemical feedstock, acetonitrile plays a critical role across multiple industrial sectors.
Based on purity, acetonitrile is categorized into industrial grade (≥99.5%), high purity (≥99.9%), and pharmaceutical grade, catering to the demands of high-end sectors such as pharmaceuticals and electronics.
Acetonitrile Production Process: Ammoxidation Route
Propylene Ammoxidation (Primary Reaction)
In large-scale chemical plants, propylene (C₃H₆) reacts with ammonia (NH₃) and oxygen (O₂) over a metal oxide catalyst at elevated temperatures.
Main reaction product:
Acrylonitrile
By-products include:
- Acetonitrile
- Hydrogen cyanide
- Acetonitrile derivatives
Acetonitrile forms naturally during this high-temperature catalytic reaction.
Recovery of Crude Acetonitrile
After the ammoxidation reaction:
- The reactor effluent is rapidly quenched
- Crude products are absorbed into water
- A mixed nitrile stream is obtained
At this stage, acetonitrile is present together with water, acrylonitrile, and other impurities.
Separation and Purification
To obtain commercial-grade acetonitrile, the crude stream undergoes multi-stage distillation:
- Removal of acrylonitrile
- Separation of water
- Fractional distillation to isolate acetonitrile
Advanced distillation systems allow producers to control:
- Water content
- Organic impurities
- Trace metals
This step determines whether the final product meets industrial grade, pharmaceutical grade, or HPLC grade requirements.
acetonitrile applications
Pharmaceutical Industry
Acetonitrile serves as a critical solvent in synthesizing antibiotics, vitamins, and other pharmaceuticals. It is particularly vital as a mobile phase in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for drug purification and analysis.
Chemical Separation
Acetonitrile enables efficient separation of butadiene from C4 hydrocarbons via extraction distillation, achieving purities exceeding 99%. It is also employed to separate acetonitrile-toluene azeotropes, optimizing fine chemical processes.
Electronics Industry
High-purity acetonitrile serves as a cleaning agent for electronic components, widely applied in semiconductor and LCD panel manufacturing to meet the stringent requirements of cleanroom environments.
Pesticides and Agrochemicals
As an essential intermediate in pesticide synthesis, acetonitrile (ACN) is indispensable in the production of herbicides and insecticides.
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
- Own manufacturing facility with full hazardous chemical production permits
- Support for COA / MSDS / TDS / SGS testing
- Compliant with EU REACH requirements
- Stable exports to Southeast Asia, South America, Middle East, and Africa markets
- Single batch supply ≥20-200 MT, annual contracts supported
