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Key Documents

110213

Sigma-Aldrich

Acrylonitrile

≥99%, contains 35-45 ppm monomethyl ether hydroquinone as inhibitor

Synonym(s):

Vinyl cyanide

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About This Item

Linear Formula:
CH2=CHCN
CAS Number:
Molecular Weight:
53.06
Beilstein:
605310
EC Number:
MDL number:
UNSPSC Code:
12162002
PubChem Substance ID:
NACRES:
NA.23

vapor density

1.83 (vs air)

Quality Level

vapor pressure

86 mmHg ( 20 °C)

Assay

≥99%

autoignition temp.

897 °F

contains

35-45 ppm monomethyl ether hydroquinone as inhibitor

expl. lim.

17 %

refractive index

n20/D 1.391 (lit.)

bp

77 °C (lit.)

mp

−83 °C (lit.)

SMILES string

C=CC#N

InChI

1S/C3H3N/c1-2-3-4/h2H,1H2

InChI key

NLHHRLWOUZZQLW-UHFFFAOYSA-N

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General description

Acrylonitrile is commonly used as a monomer which belongs to the class of unsaturated nitriles. It serves as a key monomer in the production of various polymers and copolymers with desirable properties. Acrylonitrile is commonly employed in the production of acrylic fibers, which are known for their softness, strength, and excellent thermal and chemical resistance. One of the primary applications of acrylonitrile is in the manufacturing of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers. ABS is a versatile and highly durable plastic widely used in automotive components, appliances, electronic enclosures, and consumer goods. The addition of acrylonitrile to the copolymer enhances its heat resistance and impact strength, making ABS a highly sought-after material.

Application

Acrylonitrile can be used as a monomer:
  • In the preparation of the 3D-printed polymer material, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) which is a commonly used engineering thermoplastic known for its high strength, durability, and heat resistance. It serves as a suitable substrate for a wide range of applications, including in the medical field, compatible manufacturing processes, injection molding, blow molding, and extrusion.
  • In the copolymerization with lignosulfonate to develop a carbon fiber precursor. This copolymer can serve as a precursor material that undergoes further thermal treatment to produce carbon fibers.
  • To synthesize acrylamide grafted acrylonitrile copolymer membranes, which serve as a support matrix for the immobilization of cellulase enzymes.
Acrylonitrile is used in the manufacture of acrylic fibers, resins (acrylonitrile butadiene-styrene, styrene-acrylonitrile and others) and nitrile rubbers (butadiene-acrylonitrile).

Biochem/physiol Actions

An industrial carcinogen that is a multisite carcinogen in rats and possibly carcinogenic to humans.

Signal Word

Danger

Hazard Classifications

Acute Tox. 3 Dermal - Acute Tox. 3 Inhalation - Acute Tox. 3 Oral - Aquatic Chronic 2 - Carc. 1B - Eye Dam. 1 - Flam. Liq. 2 - Skin Irrit. 2 - Skin Sens. 1B - STOT SE 3

Target Organs

Respiratory system

Storage Class Code

3 - Flammable liquids

WGK

WGK 3

Flash Point(F)

23.0 °F - closed cup

Flash Point(C)

-5 °C - closed cup

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

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J Whysner et al.
Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP, 27(3), 217-239 (1998-08-07)
Acrylonitrile (ACN) exposure is associated with tumors in rat brain, Zymbal gland, and mammary gland. Adducts affecting base pairing were formed in isolated DNA exposed in vitro to the ACN metabolite cyanoethylene oxide (CNEO). DNA from liver, which is not
A Léonard et al.
Mutation research, 436(3), 263-283 (1999-06-04)
Acrylonitrile (AN) is an important intermediary for the synthesis of a variety of organic products, such as artificial fibres, household articles and resins. Although acute effects are the primary concern for an exposure to AN, potential genotoxic, carcinogenic and teratogenic
Philip Cole et al.
Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP, 52(3), 342-351 (2008-10-18)
Several retrospective cohort epidemiology studies evaluated a number of health outcomes in workers exposed to acrylonitrile (AN). The epidemiology studies included in this review have been published since 1970 and were identified through Ovid and MEDLINE retrieval services using search
Acrylonitrile and human cancer--an overview.
D Coggon et al.
Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health, 24 Suppl 2, 81-82 (1998-08-26)
Takeo Suzuki et al.
Nucleic acids research, 42(11), 7346-7357 (2014-05-17)
In mammalian mitochondria, 22 species of tRNAs encoded in mitochondrial DNA play crucial roles in the translation of 13 essential subunits of the respiratory chain complexes involved in oxidative phosphorylation. Following transcription, mitochondrial tRNAs are modified by nuclear-encoded tRNA-modifying enzymes.

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