Substance profile
Acrylonitrile
Acrylonitrile is a clear, colorless liquid at room temperature and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Acrylonitrile is
Acrylonitrile is a clear, colorless liquid at room temperature and is odorless. Its molecular formula is C3H3N and its molecular weight is 53.06 g/mol. It boils at 77.2 °C, melts at -83.5 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H225 | Highly flammable liquid and vapour. |
| H350 | May cause cancer <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H311 | Toxic in contact with skin. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
| H335 | May cause respiratory irritation. |
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H318 | Causes serious eye damage. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
| H411 | Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P201, P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P272, P273, P280, P301, P302, P304, P305, P308, P310, P313, P330, P332, P333, P338, P352, P391, P403, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Acrylonitrile properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 77.2 °C (171 °F) | HSDB | |
| 77.22 °C (171 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 77.22 °C (171 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -83.51 °C (-118.3 °F) | HSDB | |
| -82.22 °C (-116 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 0.81 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.8007 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.8004 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Solubility of water in acrylonitrile: 3.1 parts water/100 parts acrylonitrile | HSDB | |
| Very soluble in ethanol, acetone, benzene, ether | HSDB | ||
| In water, 7.45X10+4 mg/L at 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 83 mmHg | NIOSH | |
| 100 mmHg | at 23 °C | CAMEO | |
| 109 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | -5 °C (23 °F) | HSDB | |
| 0 °C (32 °F) | open cup | HSDB | |
| -1.11 °C (30 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 481.11 °C (898 °F) | HSDB | |
| 481 °C (897.8 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 3 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 3.05 % by volume | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 17 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 17 % by volume | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 1.83 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 1.9 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| 1.8 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | Detection of acrylonitrile in water is 1.86x10+1 ppm; chemically pure | HSDB | |
| Low= 8.1000 mg/cu m; High= 78.7500 mg/cu m | HSDB | ||
| Odor Threshold Low: 21.6 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 266.85 °C (512.3 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Attacks copper and copper alloys ... attacks aluminum in high concentration | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Acrylonitrile
Storage conditions
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage. Recommended storage temperature 2 - 8 °C. Light sensitive. Storage class (TRGS 510): Flammable liquids.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Incompatible materials: Oxidizing agents, copper.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
ACRYLONITRILE produces poisonous hydrogen cyanide gas on contact with strong acids or when heated to decomposition. Reacts violently with strong oxidizing agents (dibenzoyl peroxide, di-tert-butylperoxide, bromine) [Sax, 9th ed., p. 61]. Rapidly ignites in air and forms explosive mixtures with air. Polymerizes violently in the presence of strong bases or acids. Underwent a runaway reaction culminating in an explosion on contact with a small amount of bromine or solid silver nitrate [Bretherick, 5th ed., 1995, p. 404].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Acrylonitrile in the storage compatibility matrix →