Ethylene cyanohydrin
Agent Name
Ethylene cyanohydrin
CAS Number
109-78-4
Formula
C3-H5-N-O
Major Category
Nitrogen Compounds
Synonyms
2-Cyanoethanol; 2-Cyanoethyl alcohol; 2-Hydroxycyanoethane; 2-Hydroxyethyl cyanide; 2-Hydroxyethylkyanid [Czech]; 3-Hydroxypropanenitrile; 3-Hydroxypropionitrile; Aethylencyanhydrin [German]; Glycol cyanohydrin; Hydracrylonitrile; Hydroxypropanenitrile; Methanolacetonitrile; Propanenitrile, 3-hydroxy-; Propionitrile, 3-hydroxy-; beta-Cyanoethanol; beta-HPN; beta-HPN3; beta-Hydroxypropionitrile; [ChemIDplus]
Category
Nitriles
Description
Straw-colored liquid; [Hawley] Colorless to yellow-brown liquid; [CAMEO]
Sources/Uses
Used as a solvent for cellulose acetate and ethylcellulose, in organic synthesis, and to stimulate sprouting in potatoes; [Hawley]
Comments
A skin and eye irritant; Releases hydrogen cyanide when heated or in contact with acids/water; [ICSC] An eye irritant; [HSDB] Reacts with water evolving toxic flammable gases; An eye irritant; [CAMEO] An irritant; Harmful by ingestion, inhalation, or skin absorption; [Aldrich MSDS] See "NITRILES."
Biomedical References
Exposure Assessment
Vapor Pressure
0.0802 mm Hg
Lethal Concentration
LC33 (mice) = 300 mg/m3/2h
Explanatory Notes
VP from ChemIDplus;
NFPA
must be preheated
Adverse Effects
Other Poison
Chemical Asphyxiant
Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent
Other Information
No other related information on this agent was found.