Acetone Cyanohydrin

DescriptionAcetone cyanohydrin is an organic compound used in the production of methyl methacrylate, the monomer of the transparent plastic polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), also known as acrylic. Acetone cyanohydrin is a flammable colourless liquid with a faint odour of bitter almond. It is incompatible with sulphuric acid. Acetone cyanohydrin readily undergoes decomposition by water to form hydrogen cyanide and acetone. Cassava tubers contain linamarin, a glucoside of acetohydrin, and the enzyme linamarinase for hydrolysing the glucoside. Crushing the tubers releases these compounds and produces acetone cyanohydrin, which is potentially lethally toxic. Acetone cyanohydrin is classified as an extremely hazardous substance in the U.S. Emergency Planning and Community Right-to- Know Act. The principal hazards of acetone cyanohydrin arise from its ready decomposition on contact with water, which releases highly toxic hydrogen cyanide.

UsesAcetone cyanohydrin is used to make methyl methacrylate; in the production of pharmaceuticals, foaming agents, and insecticides; and to produce polymerization initiators.

UsesAcetone cyanohydrin is used as a raw material for insecticides manufacture and also to produce ethyl α-hydroxyisobutryate, a pharmaceutical intermediate. It has been used as a complexing agent for metals refining and separation.

UsesIn preparative organic chemistry for transcyanohydrination, such as preparing the 17-monocyanohydrin of a 3,17-diketo steroid by hydrogen cyanide exchange with the reagent, e.g. Ercoli, de Ruggieri, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 75, 650 (1953).

General DescriptionA colorless liquid. Flash point 165°F. Lethal by inhalation and highly toxic or lethal by skin absorption. Density 7.8 lb / gal (less dense than water). Vapors heavier than air. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen during combustion.