Acrylonitrile

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Acrylonitrile (pronounced as ak-ri-lo-ni-trail) is a colorless, volatile liquid with a pungent odor. It is an important monomer for the manufacture of useful plastics such as polyacrylonitrile. It is reactive and toxic at low doses.

Etymology

The term "acrylonitrile" is derived from the acrylic acid and the nitrile functional group. The word "acrylic" comes from the Latin word "acryl" meaning sharp or pungent, and "nitrile" is derived from the Greek word "nitron" meaning "native soda" and the Latin word "oleum" meaning "oil".

Chemical Structure

Acrylonitrile is an organic compound with the formula CH2CHCN. It is a colorless volatile liquid, although commercial samples can be yellow due to impurities. It has a pungent odor of garlic or onions. In terms of its molecular structure, it consists of a vinyl group linked to a nitrile.

Production

Acrylonitrile is produced by catalytic ammoxidation of propylene, also known as the SOHIO process. In 2002, world production capacity was estimated at 5 million tonnes per year. It can also be produced by the reaction of propylene oxide with ammonia.

Uses

Acrylonitrile is used principally as a monomer to prepare polyacrylonitrile, a homopolymer, or a copolymer such as styrene-acrylonitrile or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

Health Effects

Acrylonitrile is highly poisonous. It can be absorbed into the body by inhalation and ingestion. The substance irritates the eyes, the skin, and the respiratory tract. It may cause effects on the central nervous system and the lungs, resulting in impaired functions and tissue changes.

See Also

External links

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