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140-29-4

140-29-4 Structure

140-29-4 Structure
IdentificationMore
[Name]

Benzeneacetonitrile
[CAS]

140-29-4
[Synonyms]

ALPHA-CYANOTOLUENE
ALPHA-TOLUNITRILE
A-TOLUNITRILE
benzeneacetonitrile
BENZYL CYANIDE
LABOTEST-BB LT00891699
PHENYLACETONITRILE
phenyl acetyl nitrile
TOLUNITRILE
(Cyanomethyl)benzene
2-Phenylacetonitrile
aceticacid,phenyl-nitrile
Acetonitrile, phenyl-
acetonitrile,phenyl-
alpha-cyano-toluen
Benzyl nitrile
benzylkyanid
benzylnitrile
enzylcyanide
omega-Cyanotoluene
[EINECS(EC#)]

205-410-5
[Molecular Formula]

C8H7N
[MDL Number]

MFCD00001894
[Molecular Weight]

117.15
[MOL File]

140-29-4.mol
Chemical PropertiesBack Directory
[Appearance]

Benzyl cyanide is a colorless, oily liquid with an aromatic odor.
[Melting point ]

−24 °C(lit.)
[Boiling point ]

233-234 °C(lit.)
[density ]

1.015 g/mL at 25 °C(lit.)
[vapor pressure ]

0.1 mm Hg ( 20 °C)
[refractive index ]

n20/D 1.524
[Fp ]

215 °F
[storage temp. ]

Store below +30°C.
[solubility ]

0.1g/l
[form ]

Liquid
[color ]

Oily liquid
[Odor]

aromatic odor
[Stability:]

Stable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. May produce hydrogen cyanide in a fire.
[Water Solubility ]

insoluble. <0.1 g/100 mL at 17 ºC
[Merck ]

1131
[BRN ]

385941
[Dielectric constant]

18.3(20℃)
[Exposure limits]

NIOSH: IDLH 25 mg/m3
[LogP]

1.56
[Uses]

Organic synthesis, especially penicillin precursors.
[CAS DataBase Reference]

140-29-4(CAS DataBase Reference)
[NIST Chemistry Reference]

Benzeneacetonitrile(140-29-4)
[EPA Substance Registry System]

140-29-4(EPA Substance)
Safety DataBack Directory
[Hazard Codes ]

T+,T
[Risk Statements ]

R22:Harmful if swallowed.
R24:Toxic in contact with skin.
R26:Very Toxic by inhalation.
R23/24/25:Toxic by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed .
[Safety Statements ]

S28:After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of ... (to be specified by the manufacturer) .
S36/37:Wear suitable protective clothing and gloves .
S45:In case of accident or if you feel unwell, seek medical advice immediately (show label where possible) .
S23:Do not breathe gas/fumes/vapor/spray (appropriate wording to be specified by the manufacturer) .
[RIDADR ]

UN 2470 6.1/PG 3
[WGK Germany ]

3
[RTECS ]

AM1400000
[F ]

8-9
[Autoignition Temperature]

590 °C
[Hazard Note ]

Very Toxic
[TSCA ]

Yes
[HazardClass ]

6.1(b)
[PackingGroup ]

III
[HS Code ]

29269090
[Safety Profile]

Poison by ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, subcutaneous, and intraperitoneal routes. A skin irritant. Explosive reaction with sodium hypochlorite. Used in production of drugs of abuse. When heated to decomposition it emits very toxic fumes of CNand NOx. See also NITRILES
[Hazardous Substances Data]

140-29-4(Hazardous Substances Data)
[Toxicity]

LD50 orally in Rabbit: 270 mg/kg LD50 dermal Rabbit 270 mg/kg
Raw materials And Preparation ProductsBack Directory
[Raw materials]

Sodium cyanide-->Benzyl chloride-->Dimethylamine
[Preparation Products]

6-CHLORO-2-(CHLOROMETHYL)-3-OXIDO-4-PHENYL-QUINAZOLINE-->Diethyl 2-ethyl-2-phenylmalonate-->3-PHENYLUMBELLIFERONE-->Demoxepam-->2-(4-NITROPHENYL)BUTYRIC ACID-->2-(4-difluoromethoxy)phenyl-3-methyl butyric acid-->2-Methylbenzyl cyanide-->Methyl 3-amino-4-phenylthiophene-2-carboxylate-->3-Methyl-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)butyronitrile-->NORMEPERIDINE-->2-(2-AMINO-4-BIPHENYL)PROPIONITRILE-->Tropic acid-->TRIPHENYLPHOSPHINE DIBROMIDE-->2-AMINOPHENYLACETIC ACID-->4-phenyl-1-(p-tolylsulphonyl)piperidine-4-carboxylic acid-->4-Bromo-2,2-diphenylbutyric acid-->CYCLOHEXYLPHENYLACETONITRILE-->ALPHA,ALPHA-DIPHENYL-GAMMA-BUTYROLACTONE-->Verapamil-->A-(HYDROXYMETHYL)BENZENACETIC ACID METHYL ESTER-->(1-phenylcyclopropyl)methanamine-->SODIUM A-CYANOPHENYL ALDOXIME-->5-CHLORO-3-PHENYLANTHRANIL-->α-(p-Aminophenyl)butyric acid-->p-Nitrophenylacetonitrile-->2 -phenyl-Hexanenitrile-->2-(4-(ACETYLAMINO)PHENYL)PROPIONITRILE-->2-(4-ACETAMINO-3-CHLOROPHENYL)PROPIONITRILE-->2,3-DIPHENYLPROPIONIC ACID-->2-(4-(ACETYLAMINO)-3-NITROPHENYL)PROPIONITRILE-->DISOPYRAMIDE-->2-(4-aminophenyl)propiononitrile-->2-(4-Nitrophenyl)propiononitrile-->2-PHENYLPROPIONIC ACID-->ALCLOFENAC-->Alprazolam-->Bromobenzyl cyanide-->Butibufen-->2-Phenylacetoacetonitrile-->3-Nitro-4-acetylaminobenzeneacetonitrile
Hazard InformationBack Directory
[General Description]

A colorless oily liquid with an aromatic odor. Insoluble in water and slightly denser than water. Contact may irritate skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. May be toxic by ingestion. Used to make other chemicals.
[Reactivity Profile]

PHENYLACETONITRILE can react with strong acids, strong bases, strong oxidizing agents and strong reducing agents. PHENYLACETONITRILE, LIQUID(140-29-4) may react vigorously with sodium hypochlorite. .
[Air & Water Reactions]

This chemical is moisture sensitive. Insoluble in water.
[Hazard]

Highly toxic, absorbed by skin.
[Health Hazard]

Poisonous. May be fatal if inhaled, swallowed, or absorbed through skin. Contact may cause burns to skin and eyes.
[Potential Exposure]

(as CN): Benzyl cyanide is used in organic synthesis, especially of penicillin precursors. It is used as a chemical intermediate for amphetamines, phenobarbital; the stimulant, methyl phenidylacetate; esters as perfumes and flavors.
[Fire Hazard]

When heated to decomposition, PHENYLACETONITRILE, LIQUID emits very toxic fumes of cyanide and nitrogen oxides. Container may explode in heat of fire. Runoff from fire control water may give off poisonous gases. Avoid sodium hypochlorite.
[First aid]

If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and water. Speed in removing material from skin is of extreme importance Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit. For cyanide poisoning, use amyl nitrate capsules if symptoms develop. All area employees should be trained regularly in emergency measures for cyanide poisoning and in CPR. A cyanide antidote kit should be kept in the immediate work area and must be rapidly available. Kit ingredients should be replaced every 1 2 years to ensure freshness. Persons trained in the use of this kit; oxygen use, and CPR must be quickly available.
[Shipping]

UN2470 Phenylacetonitrile, Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1—Poisonous materials.
[Incompatibilities]

Violent reaction with strong oxidizers; sodium hypochlorite, lithium aluminum hydride. Nitriles may polymerize in the presence of metals and some metal compounds. They are incompatible with acids; mixing nitriles with strong oxidizing acids can lead to extremely violent reactions. Nitriles are generally incompatible with other oxidizing agents such as peroxides and epoxides. The combination of bases and nitriles can produce hydrogen cyanide. Nitriles are hydrolyzed in both aqueous acid and base to give carboxylic acids (or salts of carboxylic acids). These reactions generate heat. Peroxides convert nitriles to amides. Nitriles can react vigorously with reducing agents. Acetonitrile and propionitrile are soluble in water, but nitriles higher than propionitrile have low aqueous solubility. They are also insoluble in aqueous acids.
[Description]

Benzyl cyanide is a colorless, oily liquid withan aromatic odor. Molecular weight=117.2; Boilingpoint=233.5℃; Freezing/Melting point=2 24; Vaporpressure=low , 0.40 at 20℃; Flash point=113℃(oc), also cited as 101℃. Hazard Identification (basedon NFPA-704 M Rating System): Health 3, Flammability 1,Reactivity 0. Insoluble in water.
[Chemical Properties]

Benzyl cyanide is a colorless, oily liquid with an aromatic odor.
[Chemical Properties]

colourless liquid
[Definition]

ChEBI: A nitrile that is acetonitrile where one of the methyl hydrogens is substituted by a phenyl group.
[Production Methods]

Benzyl cyanide is synthesized by reaction of benzyl chloride with potassium cyanide or sodium cyanide . The nitrile is a natural constituent of plants and is a constituent of foods, particularly citrus fruits, papaya, cabbage, mushrooms, roasted onions, tomatoes, cocoa, tea, roasted peanuts and cauliflower .The benzyl cyanide, at least in part, is formed by breakdown of benzylglucosinolate in the plant material. Benzyl nitrile also is found in tap water, river water, sewage and in cigarette smoke ).
[Synthesis Reference(s)]

Canadian Journal of Chemistry, 39, p. 1340, 1961 DOI: 10.1139/v61-169
Chemistry Letters, 13, p. 1511, 1984
Organic Syntheses, Coll. Vol. 1, p. 107, 1941
[Industrial uses]

Benzyl cyanide is employed as a chemical intermediate for the synthesis of amphetamine, phenobarbital and methyl phenidylacetate. It is also used for perfumes and flavors and is, therefore, added to soaps, detergents, creams and lotions.
[Metabolism]

Giacosa isolated phenylaceturic acid from the urine of a dog dosed with benzyl cyanide, while Adeline et al showed that in the dog, benzyl cyanide formed both benzoic acid and a small amount of ethereal sulfate. In rabbits, a large proportion of the cyano group could be accounted for as thiocyanate ion in the urine. There was a sex difference in the conversion with female rabbits excreting 70% of the dose as thiocyanate and males only 50%. However, cyanide was liberated slowly from i.p. or orally administered benzyl cyanide in rats and excreted in the urine as cyanide and thiocyanate, the proportion of the former increasing with the dose . Benzyl cyanide is oxidized by mouse liver microsomes to benzaldehyde and cyanide ion presumably via the intermediate mandelonitrile. The microsomal metabolism of benzyl cyanide and other nitriles was significantly increased when mice were pre treated with ethanol , suggesting that the ethanol-inducible cytochrome P-450 may play an important role in the metabolism of such compounds.
[storage]

Color Code—Blue: Health Hazard: Store in asecure poison location. Store in tightly closed containers ina cool, well-ventilated area away from oxidizers and otherincompatible materials listed above. Sources of ignition,such as smoking and open flames, are prohibited where thischemical is used, handled, or stored in a manner that couldcreate a potential fire or explosion hazard.
[Purification Methods]

Any benzyl isocyanide impurity can be removed by shaking vigorously with an equal volume of 50% H2SO4 at 60o, washing with saturated aqueous NaHCO3, then half-saturated NaCl solution, drying and fractionally distilling under reduced pressure. Distillation from CaH2 causes some decomposition of this compound: it is better to use P2O5. Other purification procedures include passage through a column of highly activated alumina, and distillation from Raney nickel. Precautions should be taken because of possible formation of free TOXIC cyanide, use an efficient fume cupboard.[Beilstein 9 IV 1663.]
Material Safety Data Sheet(MSDS)Back Directory
[msds information]

phenylacetonitrile(140-29-4).msds
Spectrum DetailBack Directory
[Spectrum Detail]

Benzeneacetonitrile(140-29-4)MS
Benzeneacetonitrile(140-29-4)1HNMR
Benzeneacetonitrile(140-29-4)IR1
Benzeneacetonitrile(140-29-4)Raman
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