| Compound Description | Acetonitrile appears as a colorless limpid liquid with an aromatic odor. Flash point 42 °F. Density 0.783 g / cm3. Toxic by skin absorption. Less dense than water. Vapors are denser than air.Acetonitrile is a nitrile that is hydrogen cyanide in which the hydrogen has been replaced by a methyl group. It has a role as a polar aprotic solvent, an EC 3.5.1.4 inhibitor and a NMR chemical shift reference compound. It is an aliphatic nitrile and a volatile organic compound.Acetonitrile has many uses, including as a solvent, for spinning fibers, and in lithium batteries. It is primarily found in air from automobile exhaust and manufacturing facilities. Acute inhalation exposure results in irritation of mucous membranes. Chronic exposure results in central nervous system effects, such as headaches, numbness, and tremors. No data are available on its carcinogenic effects in humans; EPA has classified it as a Group D, not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity.Acetonitrile is a chemical compound of cyanide. |
