Acetonitrile

Acetonitrile, also known as MeCN (methyl cyanide) is a chemical compound with the chemical formula . It is the simplest of the nitriles, organic compounds with a triple bond between carbon and nitrogen. Acetonitrile is a clear liquid. It is used mostly as a solvent.

 Uses 
Acetonitrile is mostly used in chromatography. It is also used as a solvent to make pharmaceuticals and to purify butadiene.

 Production 
Acetonitrile is not made in large quantities as a primary product. Instead, it is a byproduct of the production of acrylonitrile from ammoxidation of propylene. Acrylonitrile is an ingredient in important plastics like acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Large amounts of acrylonitrile are made for plastics, which also means large amounts of the acetonitrile byproduct are available for chemical use.

 Safety 
Acetonitrile is flammable, and can cause severe health problems if in contact.

 Sources 

Other websites
Safety Data 

Category:Nitriles
Category:Solvents