ETHYL ISOCYANIDE Property

Boiling point:

96.85°C (estimate)

Density 

0.7378

refractive index 

1.3607

Water Solubility 

999mg/L(temperature not stated)

EPA Substance Registry System

Ethane, isocyano- (624-79-3)

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Danger

Hazard statements

H225Highly Flammable liquid and vapour

H302Harmful if swallowed

H312Harmful in contact with skin

H332Harmful if inhaled

Precautionary statements

P210Keep away from heat/sparks/open flames/hot surfaces. — No smoking.

P233Keep container tightly closed.

P240Ground/bond container and receiving equipment.

P241Use explosion-proof electrical/ventilating/lighting/…/equipment.

P242Use only non-sparking tools.

P243Take precautionary measures against static discharge.

P261Avoid breathing dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

P264Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

P264Wash skin thouroughly after handling.

P270Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.

P271Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

P280Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection.

P301+P312IF SWALLOWED: call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician IF you feel unwell.

P302+P352IF ON SKIN: wash with plenty of soap and water.

P303+P361+P353IF ON SKIN (or hair): Remove/Take off Immediately all contaminated clothing. Rinse SKIN with water/shower.

P304+P340IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and Keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing.

P312Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell.

P322Specific measures (see …on this label).

P330Rinse mouth.

P363Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.

P370+P378In case of fire: Use … for extinction.

P403+P235Store in a well-ventilated place. Keep cool.

P501Dispose of contents/container to..…

ETHYL ISOCYANIDE Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Uses

Principal use in toxicology was in the characterization of cytochrome P450 isozymes. Ethyl isocyanide and the reduced cytochrome form a characteristic optical difference spectrum with two peaks in the Soret Region (type III). The pH equilibrium point (the pH at which the two peaks are of equal height) varies between different isozymes.

Preparation

CAUTION: The reaction and distillation should be conducted behind a safety shield. Precautions for handling toxic cyanides should be observed.
To a three-necked flask equipped with a condenser and ground glass stirrer (or Hershberg stirrer) is added 116 gm (0.75 mole) of ethyl iodide and 100 gm (0.75 mole) of silver cyanide. The mixture is refluxed for 2 hr, the stirrer blade raised, the mixture cooled, filtered (see Note a), the solid washed with ether, dried, and 260 gm of a 50% solution of potassium cyanide (2.0 moles) added. The reaction mixture is distilled to afford a mixture of isonitrile and water (see Note b). The crude isonitrile 49.5- 52.3 gm (90-95%) is separated after being salted out of the water. The isonitrile is washed twice with 24-ml portions of ice-cold saturated sodium chloride solution, dried over magnesium sulfate, and fractionally distilled, to afford 25.9-30.3 gm (47-55%), b.p. 77-79°C (760 mm Hg).