Glycolonitrile
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Names | |||
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IUPAC name
2-Hydroxyacetonitrile[1] | |||
Other names | |||
Identifiers | |||
107-16-4 ![]() | |||
3D model (Jmol) | Interactive image | ||
605328 | |||
ChemSpider | 7569 ![]() | ||
ECHA InfoCard | 100.003.155 | ||
EC Number | 203-469-1 | ||
MeSH | glycolonitrile | ||
PubChem | 7857 | ||
UNII | ZCI474BE63 ![]() | ||
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Properties | |||
C2H3NO | |||
Molar mass | 57.05 g·mol−1 | ||
Appearance | Colourless, oily liquid | ||
Odor | odorless[3] | ||
Density | 1.10 g/mL (18.89°C)[3] | ||
Melting point | < −72 °C; −98 °F; 201 K [3] | ||
Boiling point | 99.6 °C; 211.2 °F; 372.7 K at 2.3 kPa | ||
soluble[3] | |||
Vapor pressure | 1 mmHg (62.78°C)[3] | ||
Hazards | |||
Main hazards | forms cyanide in the body[3] | ||
US health exposure limits (NIOSH): | |||
PEL (Permissible) |
none[3] | ||
REL (Recommended) |
C 2 ppm (5 mg/m3) [15-minute][3] | ||
IDLH (Immediate danger) |
N.D.[3] | ||
Related compounds | |||
Related alkanenitriles |
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Related compounds |
DBNPA | ||
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |||
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Infobox references | |||
Glycolonitrile, also called hydroxyacetonitrile or formaldehyde cyanohydrin, is the organic compound with the formula HOCH2CN. It is the simplest cyanohydrin and it is derived from formaldehyde.[4] It is a colourless liquid that dissolves in water and ether. Because glycolonitrile decomposes readily into formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide, it is listed as an extremely hazardous substance.
Synthesis and reactions
Glycolonitrile is produced by reacting formaldehyde with hydrogen cyanide under acidic conditions. This reaction is catalysed by base.[5] Gylcolonitrile polymerizes under alkaline conditions above pH 7.0. As the product of polymerization is an amine with a basic character, the reaction is self-catalysed, gaining in speed with ongoing conversion.
Glycolonitrile can react with ammonia to give aminoacetonitrile, which can be hydrolysed to give glycine:
- HOCH2CN + NH3 → H2NCH2CN + H2O
- H2NCH2CN + 2 H2O → H2NCH2CO2H + NH3
The industrially important chelating agent EDTA is prepared from glycolonitrile and ethylenediamine followed by hydrolysis of the resulting tetranitrile. Nitrilotriacetic acid is prepared similarly.[5]
References
- ↑ "glycolonitrile - Compound Summary". PubChem Compound. USA: National Center for Biotechnology Information. 26 March 2005. Identification. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
- 1 2 3 4 "Glycolonitrile". NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. USA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 4 April 2011. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards #0304". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
- ↑ Gaudry, R. (1955). "Glycolonitrile". Org. Synth.; Coll. Vol., 3, p. 436
- 1 2 Peter Pollak, Gérard Romeder, Ferdinand Hagedorn, Heinz-Peter Gelbke "Nitriles" Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry 2002, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.a17_363