Substance profile
Oxalonitrile
Oxalonitrile is a colorless gas; burns with purple tinged flame with an almond-like odor, which is acrid and pungent in lethal concentrations.
01 · Identification
What Oxalonitrile is
Oxalonitrile is a colorless gas; burns with purple tinged flame with an almond-like odor, which is acrid and pungent in lethal concentrations. It boils at -21.1 °C, melts at -27.8 °C, is soluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as flammable agents - 4th degree.
Other names for Oxalonitrile
- cyanogen
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 |
|---|---|
| H220 | Extremely flammable gas. |
| H331 | Toxic if inhaled. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P233, P260, P271, P273, P304, P310, P391, P403, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Oxalonitrile 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 | -21.1 °C (-6 °F) | HSDB | |
| -21.11 °C (-6 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| -21.17 °C (-6.1 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| Melting point | -27.83 °C (-18.1 °F) | HSDB | |
| -27.9 °C (-18.2 °F) | HSDB | ||
| -27.78 °C (-18 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| Density | 0.9537 g/cm³ | at 21 °C | DOE PAC |
| 0.9537 g/cm³ | at -21 °C | HSDB | |
| 0.954 g/cm³ | at -21 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Soluble in ethanol, ethyl ether | HSDB | |
| Solubility at 20 °C: water dissolves 4.5 times its own volume of cyanogen; diethyl ether, 5.0 times; and ethanol, 23.0 times | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 450 CC IN 100 ML WATER @ 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 3876 mmHg | at 21.11 °C | NIOSH |
| 4300 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | NA (Gas) | NIOSH | |
| Flammable gas | ICSC | ||
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 6.6 % by volume | HSDB | |
| 6 % by volume | HSDB | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 32 % by volume | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 1.8 (air = 1) | HSDB | |
| 1.82 (air = 1) | CAMEO | ||
| Odor threshold | Odor & irritation threshold detection tests on humans indicated no odor up to 250 ppm ... | HSDB | |
| Odor threshold is 500 mg/cu m; Irritation concentration is 32 mg/cu m. | HSDB | ||
| Odor threshold is >250 ppm | Haz-Map | ||
| Critical temperature and pressure | 128.3 °C (262.9 °F) | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Oxalonitrile
Storage conditions
Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location. Isolate from acids. Outside or detached storage is preferred.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
Contact /with dichlorine oxide/ causes ignition or explosion.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
Colorless, flammable, highly toxic gas. It can react explosively with strong oxidants (dichlorine oxide, fluorene, oxygen, ozone). When heated to decomposition or on contact with acids, acid fumes, water or steam it will react to produce deadly hydrogen cyanide gas and oxides of nitrogen [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 945].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Oxalonitrile in the storage compatibility matrix →