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Reactive Group Datasheet

Nitriles

What are reactive groups?

Reactive groups are categories of chemicals that typically react in similar ways because they are similar in their chemical structure. Each substance with a chemical datasheet has been assigned to one or more reactive groups, and CAMEO Chemicals uses the reactive group assignments to make its reactivity predictions. More info about reactivity predictions...

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There are 94 chemical datasheets assigned to this reactive group.

Description

Flammability
Many of the compounds of this group are highly flammable, especially substances such as acrylonitrile and acetonitrile that have low flash points and relatively wide flammability concentration limits. All are combustible. The incomplete combustion of these materials produces significant amounts of gaseous hydrogen cyanide. When heated to decomposition, nitriles emit highly toxic fumes.
Reactivity
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.
Toxicity
Pure alkyl nitriles are said to be only slightly toxic. Usually however they are contaminated with highly toxic isocyanides and should be treated as serious poisons. They are absorbed by inhalation, ingestion and by contact with the skin. Other nitriles vary in toxicity, with some approaching the inorganic cyanides in toxicity.
Other Characteristics
Compounds in this group are organic compounds containing the nitrile group (-CN). This group is also called the cyanide group. Probably the most important use of these materials is in the production of nitrile rubber, which is a copolymer of acetonitrile with butadiene. Nitriles such as cyanogen are used in organic synthesis, fumigants, and rocket propellant materials.
Examples
Acetonitrile, benzonitrile, butyronitrile, cyanoacetic acid, isobutyronitrile, lactonitrile, propionitrile.

Reactivity Documentation

Use the links below to find out how this reactive group interacts with any of the reactive groups in the database.

The predicted hazards and gas byproducts for each reactive group pair will be displayed, as well as documentation and references that were used to make the reactivity predictions.

Mix Nitriles with: