Formyl cyanide

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Formyl cyanide
Formyl cyanide.svg
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Formyl cyanide
Systematic IUPAC name
Methanoyl cyanide
Other names
Cyanoformaldehyde
Glyoxylonitrile
2-oxo-acetonitrile
oxo-acetonitrile
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
PubChem CID
  • InChI=1S/C2HNO/c3-1-2-4/h2H Yes check.svgY
    Key: TUHMQDODLHWPCC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Yes check.svgY
  • C(=O)C#N
Properties
C2HNO
Molar mass 55.036 g·mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Formyl cyanide is a simple organic compound with the formula HCOCN and structure HC(=O)−C≡N. It is simultaneously a nitrile (R−C≡N) and an aldehyde (R−CH=O). Formyl cyanide is the simplest member of the acyl cyanide family. It is known to occur in space in the Sgr B2 molecular cloud. [1]

Contents

Production

Formyl cyanide was first made through methoxyacetonitrile flash vacuum pyrolysis at 600 °C. The same technique with cinnamyloxyacetonitrile [2] or allyloxyacetonitrile also generates formyl cyanide. [3] [4]

In molecular clouds, formation of formyl cyanide is speculated to result from formaldehyde and the cyanide radical: [5]

CH2O + CN• → HCOCN + H•

In Earth's atmosphere, the pollutant acrylonitrile reacts with hydroxyl radical forming formyl cyanide, hydroperoxyl and formaldehyde: [6]

CH2=CHCN + HO• +32O2 → HOO• + HCOCN + CH2O

Reactions

Formyl cyanide reacts rapidly with even trace quantities of water to form formic acid and hydrogen cyanide. In scrupulously dry conditions, the compound instead releases carbon monoxide, with a half-life exceeding 45 h. [2]

By formally substituting the hydrogen atom, cyanoformyl chloride, ClC(O)CN, and cyanoformyl bromide, BrC(O)CN are obtained. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyanide</span> Any molecule with a cyano group (–C≡N)

In chemistry, cyanide is a chemical compound that contains a C≡N functional group. This group, known as the cyano group, consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom.

Acetonitrile, often abbreviated MeCN, is the chemical compound with the formula CH3CN and structure H3C−C≡N. This colourless liquid is the simplest organic nitrile. It is produced mainly as a byproduct of acrylonitrile manufacture. It is used as a polar aprotic solvent in organic synthesis and in the purification of butadiene. The N≡C−C skeleton is linear with a short C≡N distance of 1.16 Å.

Demethylation is the chemical process resulting in the removal of a methyl group (CH3) from a molecule. A common way of demethylation is the replacement of a methyl group by a hydrogen atom, resulting in a net loss of one carbon and two hydrogen atoms.

Acrylonitrile is an organic compound with the formula CH2CHCN and the structure H2C=CH−C≡N. It is a colorless, volatile liquid. It has a pungent odor of garlic or onions. Its molecular structure consists of a vinyl group linked to a nitrile. It is an important monomer for the manufacture of useful plastics such as polyacrylonitrile. It is reactive and toxic at low doses.

Cyanogen is the chemical compound with the formula (CN)2. The simplest stable carbon nitride, it is a colorless and highly toxic gas with a pungent odor. The molecule is a pseudohalogen. Cyanogen molecules consist of two CN groups ‒ analogous to diatomic halogen molecules, such as Cl2, but far less oxidizing. The two cyano groups are bonded together at their carbon atoms: N≡C‒C≡N, though other isomers have been detected. The name is also used for the CN radical, and hence is used for compounds such as cyanogen bromide (NCBr) (but see also Cyano radical). When burned at increased pressure with oxygen, it is possible to get a blue tinted flame, the temperature of which is about 4800°C (a higher temperature is possible with ozone). It is as such regarded as the gas with the second highest temperature of burning (after dicyanoacetylene).

In organic chemistry, a nitrile is any organic compound that has a −C≡N functional group. The name of the compound is composed of a base, which includes the carbon of the −C≡N, suffixed with "nitrile", so for example CH3CH2C≡N is called "propionitrile". The prefix cyano- is used interchangeably with the term nitrile in industrial literature. Nitriles are found in many useful compounds, including methyl cyanoacrylate, used in super glue, and nitrile rubber, a nitrile-containing polymer used in latex-free laboratory and medical gloves. Nitrile rubber is also widely used as automotive and other seals since it is resistant to fuels and oils. Organic compounds containing multiple nitrile groups are known as cyanocarbons.

An isocyanide is an organic compound with the functional group –N+≡C. It is the isomer of the related nitrile (–C≡N), hence the prefix is isocyano. The organic fragment is connected to the isocyanide group through the nitrogen atom, not via the carbon. They are used as building blocks for the synthesis of other compounds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hemiaminal</span> Organic compound or group with a hydroxyl and amine attached to the same carbon

In organic chemistry, a hemiaminal is a functional group or type of chemical compound that has a hydroxyl group and an amine attached to the same carbon atom: −C(OH)(NR2)−. R can be hydrogen or an alkyl group. Hemiaminals are intermediates in imine formation from an amine and a carbonyl by alkylimino-de-oxo-bisubstitution. Hemiaminals can be viewed as a blend of aminals and geminal diol. They are a special case of amino alcohols.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyanate</span> Anion with formula OCN and charge –1

The cyanate ion is an anion with the chemical formula OCN. It is a resonance of three forms: [O−C≡N] (61%) ↔ [O=C=N] (30%) ↔ [O+≡C−N2−] (4%).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gold(III) chloride</span> Chemical compound

Gold(III) chloride, traditionally called auric chloride, is an inorganic compound of gold and chlorine with the molecular formula Au2Cl6. The "III" in the name indicates that the gold has an oxidation state of +3, typical for many gold compounds. It has two forms, the monohydrate (AuCl3·H2O) and the anhydrous form, which are both hygroscopic and light-sensitive solids. This compound is a dimer of AuCl3. This compound has a few uses, such as an oxidizing agent and for catalyzing various organic reactions.

In chemistry, a phase-transfer catalyst or PTC is a catalyst that facilitates the transition of a reactant from one phase into another phase where reaction occurs. Phase-transfer catalysis is a special form of catalysis and can act through homogeneous catalysis or heterogeneous catalysis methods depending on the catalyst used. Ionic reactants are often soluble in an aqueous phase but insoluble in an organic phase in the absence of the phase-transfer catalyst. The catalyst functions like a detergent for solubilizing the salts into the organic phase. Phase-transfer catalysis refers to the acceleration of the reaction upon the addition of the phase-transfer catalyst.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Formylation</span>

Formylation refers to any chemical processes in which a compound is functionalized with a formyl group (-CH=O). In organic chemistry, the term is most commonly used with regards to aromatic compounds. In biochemistry the reaction is catalysed by enzymes such as formyltransferases.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dicyanoacetylene</span> Organic compound (N≡C−C≡C−C≡N)

Dicyanoacetylene, also called carbon subnitride or but-2-ynedinitrile (IUPAC), is a compound of carbon and nitrogen with chemical formula C4N2. It has a linear molecular structure, N≡C−C≡C−C≡N, with alternating triple and single covalent bonds. It can be viewed as acetylene with the two hydrogen atoms replaced by cyanide groups.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Formic anhydride</span> Chemical compound

Formic anhydride, also called methanoic anhydride, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C
2
H
2
O
3
and a structural formula of (H(C=O)−)2O. It can be viewed as the anhydride of formic acid (HCOOH).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acetyl cyanide</span> Chemical compound

Acetyl cyanide is the organic compound with the formula CH3C(O)CN. It is an acyl cyanide. Acetyl cyanide is a colorless liquid.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine</span> Class of chemical compounds

In chemistry, hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine is a class of heterocyclic compounds with the formula (CH2NR)3. Known as aldehyde ammonias, these compounds characteristically crystallize with water. They are reduced derivatives of 1,3,5-triazine, which have the formula (CHN)3, a family of aromatic heterocycles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyanonickelate</span> Class of chemical compounds

The cyanonickelates are a class of chemical compound containing anions consisting of nickel atoms, and cyanide groups. The most important of these are the tetracyanonickelates containing four cyanide groups per nickel. The tetracyanonickelates contain the [Ni(CN)4]2− anion. This can exist in solution or in solid salts. The ion has cyanide groups arranged in a square around the central nickel ion. The symmetry of the ion is D4h. The distance from the nickel atom to the carbon is 1.87 Å, and the carbon-nitrogen distance is 1.16 Å. In their crystals, the tetracyanonickelate(II) anions are often arranged in a columnar structure (e.g. in K2[Ni(CN)4]). Tetracyanonickelate(II) can be oxidised electrochemically in solution to yield tetracyanonickelate(III) [Ni(CN)4]. [Ni(CN)4] is unstable and Ni(III) oxidises the cyanide to cyanate OCN. Tetracyanonickelate(III) can add two more cyanide groups to form hexacyanonickelate(III).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acyl cyanide</span> Chemical group (–C(O)C≡N)

In organic chemistry, an acyl cyanide is a functional group with the formula R−C(O)CN and structure R−C(=O)−C≡N. It consists of an acyl group attached to cyanide. Examples include acetyl cyanide, formyl cyanide, and oxalyl dicyanide. Acyl cyanides are reagents in organic synthesis.

Curium compounds are compounds containing the element curium (Cm). Curium usually forms compounds in the +3 oxidation state, although compounds with curium in the +4, +5 and +6 oxidation states are also known.

Gallium(III) cyanide is a chemical compound of gallium with the formula Ga(CN)3. It is an air-sensitive white solid that decomposes at 450 °C.

References

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  2. 1 2 Lewis-Bevan, Wyn; Gaston, Rick D.; Tyrrell, James; Stork, Wilmer D.; Salmon, Gary L. (March 1992). "Formyl cyanide: a stable species. Experimental and theoretical studies". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 114 (6): 1933–1938. doi:10.1021/ja00032a001.
  3. Bogey, M.; Destombes, J.L.; Vallee, Y.; Ripoll, J.L. (May 1988). "Formyl cyanide: Efficient production from allyloxyacetonitrile and its millimeter-wave spectrum". Chemical Physics Letters. 146 (3–4): 227–229. Bibcode:1988CPL...146..227B. doi:10.1016/0009-2614(88)87435-9.
  4. Bogey, M.; Demuynck, C.; Destombes, J.L.; Vallee, Y. (August 1995). "Millimeter-Wave Spectrum of Formyl Cyanide, HCOCN: Centrifugal Distortion and Hyperfine Structure Analysis". Journal of Molecular Spectroscopy. 172 (2): 344–351. Bibcode:1995JMoSp.172..344B. doi:10.1006/jmsp.1995.1183.
  5. Remijan, Anthony J.; Hollis, J. M.; Lovas, F. J.; Stork, Wilmer D.; Jewell, P. R.; Meier, D. S. (10 March 2008). "Detection of Interstellar Cyanoformaldehyde (CNCHO)". The Astrophysical Journal. 675 (2): L85–L88. Bibcode:2008ApJ...675L..85R. doi:10.1086/533529. S2CID   19005362.
  6. Grosjean, Daniel (December 1990). "Atmospheric Chemistry of Toxic Contaminants. 3. Unsaturated Aliphatics: Acrolein, Acrylonitrile, Maleic Anhydride". Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association. 40 (12): 1664–1669. Bibcode:1990JAWMA..40.1664G. doi:10.1080/10473289.1990.10466814.
  7. Pasinszki, Tibor; Vass, Gábor; Klapstein, Dieter; Westwood, Nicholas P. C. (5 April 2012). "Generation, Spectroscopy, and Structure of Cyanoformyl Chloride and Cyanoformyl Bromide, XC(O)CN". The Journal of Physical Chemistry A. 116 (13): 3396–3403. Bibcode:2012JPCA..116.3396P. doi:10.1021/jp301528q. PMID   22409314.