Malononitrile

Last updated
Malononitrile
Malondinitrile Structural Formula V1.svg
Ball-and-stick model Malononitrile-3D-balls.png
Ball-and-stick model
Space-filling model Malononitrile-3D-spacefill.png
Space-filling model
Names
IUPAC name
Malononitrile [1]
Preferred IUPAC name
Propanedinitrile [1]
Other names
Malonodinitrile, Cyanoacetonitrile, Dicyanomethane, Malonic dinitrile [2]
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
773697
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.003.368 OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
EC Number
  • 203-703-2
1303
MeSH dicyanmethane
PubChem CID
RTECS number
  • OO3150000
UNII
UN number 2647
  • InChI=1S/C3H2N2/c4-2-1-3-5/h1H2 Yes check.svgY
    Key: CUONGYYJJVDODC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Yes check.svgY
  • N#CCC#N
Properties
CH2(CN)2
Molar mass 66.063 g·mol−1
AppearanceColourless or white solid [2]
Density 1.049 g cm−3
Melting point 32 °C; 89 °F; 305 K
Boiling point 220.1 °C; 428.1 °F; 493.2 K
13% (20 °C) [2] [ clarification needed ]
Thermochemistry
110.29 J K−1 mol−1
Std molar
entropy (S⦵298)
130.96 J K−1 mol−1
187.7 to 188.1 kJ mol−1
−1,654.0 to −1,654.4 kJ mol−1
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS-pictogram-skull.svg GHS-pictogram-pollu.svg
Danger
H301, H311, H331, H410
P261, P273, P280, P301+P310, P311
Flash point 86 °C (187 °F; 359 K)
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
  • 19 mg kg−1(oral, mouse)
  • 350 mg kg−1(dermal, rat)
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
none [2]
REL (Recommended)
TWA 3 ppm (8 mg/m3) [2]
IDLH (Immediate danger)
N.D. [2]
Related compounds
Related alkanenitriles
Related compounds
 Malonic acid
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Malononitrile is an organic compound nitrile with the formula CH2(CN)2. It is a colorless or white solid, although aged samples appear yellow or even brown. It is a widely used building block in organic synthesis.

Contents

Preparation and reactions

It can be prepared by dehydration of cyanoacetamide. [3] This method is mainly practiced in China where environmental rules are lax. Most commonly malononitrile is produced by the gas-phase reaction of acetonitrile and cyanogen chloride: [4]

NCCl + CH3CN → NCCH2CN + HCl

About 20,000,000 kg are produced annually (2007). Important outlets include the synthesis of thiamine, the drug triamterene and minoxidil, and the dyes disperse Yellow 90 and disperse Blue 354. [4]

Malononitrile is relatively acidic, with a pKa of 11 in water. [5] This allows it to be used in the Knoevenagel condensation, for example in the preparation of CS gas:

CS-chemical-synthesis CS-Gas-Synthese.svg
CS-chemical-synthesis

Despite its relative obscurity, Malononitrile is very useful in several reactions, the prime example being a suitable starting reagent for the Gewald reaction, where the nitrile condenses with a ketone or aldehyde in the presence of elemental sulfur and a base to produce a 2-aminothiophene. [6]

Interstellar occurrence

Due to its permanent dipole moment (i.e., 3.735 ± 0.017 D) [7] , malononitrile was detected in spectral emissions coming from interstellar cloud TMC-1 through the QUIJOTE line survey conducted with the Yebes 40 m radio telescope. [8] [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hydrogen cyanide</span> Highly toxic chemical with the formula HCN

Hydrogen cyanide is a chemical compound with the formula HCN and structural formula H−C≡N. It is a highly toxic and flammable liquid that boils slightly above room temperature, at 25.6 °C (78.1 °F). HCN is produced on an industrial scale and is a highly valued precursor to many chemical compounds ranging from polymers to pharmaceuticals. Large-scale applications are for the production of potassium cyanide and adiponitrile, used in mining and plastics, respectively. It is more toxic than solid cyanide compounds due to its volatile nature. A solution of hydrogen cyanide in water, represented as HCN, is called hydrocyanic acid. The salts of the cyanide anion are known as cyanides.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sodium cyanide</span> Toxic chemical compound (NaCN)

Sodium cyanide is a compound with the formula NaCN and the structure Na+−C≡N. It is a white, water-soluble solid. Cyanide has a high affinity for metals, which leads to the high toxicity of this salt. Its main application, in gold mining, also exploits its high reactivity toward metals. It is a moderately strong base.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phenacyl chloride</span> Chemical compound

Phenacyl chloride, also commonly known as chloroacetophenone, is a substituted acetophenone. It is a useful building block in organic chemistry. Apart from that, it has been historically used as a riot control agent, where it is designated CN. It should not be confused with cyanide, another agent used in chemical warfare, which has the chemical structure CN−. Chloroacetophenone is thermally stable, and is the only tear agent that is distillable at ambient conditions.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Propyne</span> Hydrocarbon compound (HC≡C–CH3)

Propyne (methylacetylene) is an alkyne with the chemical formula CH3C≡CH. It is a component of MAPD gas—along with its isomer propadiene (allene), which was commonly used in gas welding. Unlike acetylene, propyne can be safely condensed.

Cyclohexene is a hydrocarbon with the formula (CH2)4C2H2. It is an example of a cycloalkene. At room temperature, cyclohexene is a colorless liquid with a sharp odor. Among its uses, it is an intermediate in the commercial synthesis of nylon.

In organic chemistry, hydrocyanation is a process for conversion of alkenes to nitriles. The reaction involves the addition of hydrogen cyanide and requires a catalyst. This conversion is conducted on an industrial scale for the production of precursors to nylon.

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

Cyclohexanone is the organic compound with the formula (CH2)5CO. The molecule consists of six-carbon cyclic molecule with a ketone functional group. This colorless oily liquid has a sweet odor reminiscent of benzaldehyde. Over time, samples of cyclohexanone assume a pale yellow color.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Methyl methacrylate</span> Organic monomer

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is an organic compound with the formula CH2=C(CH3)COOCH3. This colorless liquid, the methyl ester of methacrylic acid (MAA), is a monomer produced on a large scale for the production of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyanamide</span> Chemical compound featuring a nitrile group attached to an amino group

Cyanamide is an organic compound with the formula CN2H2. This white solid is widely used in agriculture and the production of pharmaceuticals and other organic compounds. It is also used as an alcohol-deterrent drug. The molecule features a nitrile group attached to an amino group. Derivatives of this compound are also referred to as cyanamides, the most common being calcium cyanamide (CaCN2).

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

Ethylenediamine (abbreviated as en when a ligand) is the organic compound with the formula C2H4(NH2)2. This colorless liquid with an ammonia-like odor is a basic amine. It is a widely used building block in chemical synthesis, with approximately 500,000 tonnes produced in 1998. Ethylenediamine is the first member of the so-called polyethylene amines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allyl alcohol</span> Organic compound (CH2=CHCH2OH)

Allyl alcohol is an organic compound with the structural formula CH2=CHCH2OH. Like many alcohols, it is a water-soluble, colourless liquid. It is more toxic than typical small alcohols. Allyl alcohol is used as a precursor to many specialized compounds such as flame-resistant materials, drying oils, and plasticizers. Allyl alcohol is the smallest representative of the allylic alcohols.

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

Succinonitrile, also butanedinitrile, is a nitrile, with the formula of C2H4(CN)2. It is a colorless waxy solid which melts at 58 °C.

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

Adiponitrile is an organic compound with the chemical formula (CH2)4(CN)2. This viscous, colourless dinitrile is an important precursor to the polymer nylon 66. In 2005, about one million tonnes of adiponitrile were produced.

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

Ethylamine, also known as ethanamine, is an organic compound with the formula CH3CH2NH2. This colourless gas has a strong ammonia-like odor. It condenses just below room temperature to a liquid miscible with virtually all solvents. It is a nucleophilic base, as is typical for amines. Ethylamine is widely used in chemical industry and organic synthesis. It is a DEA list I chemical by 21 CFR § 1310.02.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Propargyl alcohol</span> Chemical compound

Propargyl alcohol, or 2-propyn-1-ol, is an organic compound with the formula C3H4O. It is the simplest stable alcohol containing an alkyne functional group. Propargyl alcohol is a colorless viscous liquid that is miscible with water and most polar organic solvents.

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

Glycidol is an organic compound with the formula HOCH2CHOCH2. The molecule contains both epoxide and alcohol functional groups. Being simple to make and bifunctional, it has a variety of industrial uses. The compound is a colorless, slightly viscous liquid that is slightly unstable and is not often encountered in pure form.

<i>n</i>-Butylamine Chemical compound

n-Butylamine is an organic compound (specifically, an amine) with the formula CH3(CH2)3NH2. This colourless liquid is one of the four isomeric amines of butane, the others being sec-butylamine, tert-butylamine, and isobutylamine. It is a liquid having the fishy, ammonia-like odor common to amines. The liquid acquires a yellow color upon storage in air. It is soluble in all organic solvents. Its vapours are heavier than air and it produces toxic oxides of nitrogen during combustion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ethenone</span> Organic compound with the formula H2C=C=O

Ethenone is the formal name for ketene, an organic compound with formula C2H2O or H2C=C=O. It is the simplest member of the ketene class. It is an important reagent for acetylations.

References

  1. 1 2 International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (2014). Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry: IUPAC Recommendations and Preferred Names 2013. The Royal Society of Chemistry. p. 902. doi:10.1039/9781849733069. ISBN   978-0-85404-182-4.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0378". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  3. ↑ Surrey, Alexander (1945). "Malononitrile". Organic Syntheses. 25: 63–64. doi:10.15227/orgsyn.025.0063.
  4. 1 2 Strittmatter, Harald; Hildbrand, Stefan; Pollak, Peter (2007). "Malonic Acid and Derivatives". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. doi:10.1002/14356007.a16_063.pub2. ISBN   978-3527306732.
  5. ↑ Evans pKa table
  6. ↑ Sabnis, R. W.; Rangnekar, D. W.; Sonawane, N. D. (1999). "2-Aminothiophenes By The Gewald Reaction". Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry. 36 (2): 333–345. doi:10.1002/jhet.5570360203 . Retrieved 2007-07-18.
  7. ↑ Hirota, Eizi; Morino, Yonezo (1960-02-01). "Microwave Spectrum of Malononitrile, CH2(CN)2. I. The Molecular Structure in the Ground Vibrational State". Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan. 33 (2): 158–162. doi:10.1246/bcsj.33.158. ISSN   0009-2673.
  8. ↑ Agúndez, M.; Bermúdez, C.; Cabezas, C.; Molpeceres, G.; Endo, Y.; Marcelino, N.; Tercero, B.; Guillemin, J.-C.; de Vicente, P.; Cernicharo, J. (August 2, 2024). "The rich interstellar reservoir of dinitriles: Detection of malononitrile and maleonitrile in TMC-1". Astronomy & Astrophysics. 688: L31. doi:10.1051/0004-6361/202451525. ISSN   0004-6361 . Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  9. ↑ Victoria Corless (2024-11-12). "Scientists found 'nitriles' in an interstellar cloud — here's why that could be huge". Space.com. Retrieved 2025-01-07.
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