Substance profile
Methacrylonitrile
Methacrylonitrile is a colorless liquid with odor-like bitter almonds.
01 · Identification
What Methacrylonitrile is
Methacrylonitrile is a colorless liquid with odor-like bitter almonds. Its molecular formula is C4H5N and its molecular weight is 67.09 g/mol. It boils at 90.3 °C, melts at -35.8 °C, is miscible with water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 3rd degree.
Other names for Methacrylonitrile
- 2-methyl-2-propene nitrile
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. |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H311 | Toxic in contact with skin. |
| H301 | Toxic if swallowed. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P241, P242, P260, P261, P270, P271, P272, P280, P301, P302, P304, P310, P313, P330, P333, P352, P403
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Methacrylonitrile 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 | 90.3 °C (194.5 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 90.56 °C (195 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 90 °C (194 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -35.8 °C (-32.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| -35.56 °C (-32 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -35.78 °C (-32.4 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 0.8 g/cm³ | NIOSH | |
| 0.8001 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Miscible with acetone, octane, toluene @ 20-25 °C | HSDB | |
| Sol in alcohol, ether | HSDB | ||
| In water, 2.54X10+4 mg/l @ 25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 71.2 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 71 mmHg | at 25 °C | NIOSH | |
| 64.9553 mmHg | at 25 °C | ICSC | |
| Flash point | 13 °C (55.4 °F) | HSDB | |
| 1.11 °C (34 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 12.78 °C (55 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 2 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 6.8 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 2.31 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 2.3 (air = 1) | ICSC | ||
| Odor threshold | ... IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT METHACRYLONITRILE CANNOT BE DETECTED BY ITS SMELL EVEN AT CONCENTRATIONS WHICH ARE ALREADY DANGEROUS FOR HUMANS. | HSDB | |
| An odor threshold of 2.1 ppm has been reported. | HSDB | ||
| Odor Threshold Low: 6.9 [ppm] | Haz-Map |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Methacrylonitrile
Incompatible materials
Strong acids, strong oxidizers, alkali, light. [Note: Polymerization may occur due to elevated temperature, visible light, or contact with a concentrated alkali.]
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
METHACRYLONITRILE is a colorless, flammable, toxic liquid. Explosive in the form of vapor when exposed to heat, flame or sparks. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of nitrile and oxides of nitrogen [Lewis, 3rd ed., 1993, p. 829].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Methacrylonitrile in the storage compatibility matrix →