Lactonitrile
Agent Name
Lactonitrile
Alternative Name
2-Hydroxypropanenitrile
CAS Number
78-97-7
Formula
C3-H5-N-O
Major Category
Nitrogen Compounds
Synonyms
2-Hydroxypropanenitrile; 2-Hydroxypropannitril [Czech]; 2-Hydroxypropionitrile; Acetaldehyde, cyanohydrin; Acetocyanohydrin; Ethylidene cyanohydrin; Laktonitril [Czech]; Propanenitrile, 2-hydroxy-; Propionitrile, 2-hydroxy-; alpha-Hydroxypropionitrile; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Nitriles
Description
Straw-colored liquid; [Hawley] Yellow to orange liquid; [MSDSonline]
Sources/Uses
Used as a solvent and to make ethyl lactate and lactic acid; [Hawley] Used as an intermediate for the production of alanine, acrylic fibres, resins, and acrylic acid; [eChemPortal: SIDSUNEP]
Comments
An eye irritant; Highly toxic by eye contact, ingestion, and skin absorption; Emergency treatment: "Lactonitrile"; May cause cyanide poisoning after a delay of several hours; An oral dose of >10 mg/kg is lethal in animals, as is 0.05 ml applied to the eye and 1 mg/kg applied to the skin; [HSDB] "Cyanide fumes released when heated to decomposition. Avoid alkali, oxidizing material. . . . Extremely toxic by oral, skin, or eye contact." [CAMEO] May cause irritation; Readily absorbed through skin (may be fatal); [Aldrich MSDS] See "NITRILES."
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Vapor Pressure
0.119 mm Hg
Lethal Concentration
LCLo (rat) = 125 ppm/4h
Explanatory Notes
Flash point = 76.6 deg C; [Hawley] VP from ChemIDplus;
NFPA
high ambient temp required
Adverse Effects
Other Poison
Chemical Asphyxiant
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Diseases
Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: