Glycolonitrile Property

Melting point:

-72°C

Boiling point:

183°C

Density 

1.076 g/mL at 20 °C

refractive index 

n20/D 1.389

Flash point:

133 °F

pka

11.31±0.10(Predicted)

Water Solubility 

>=10 g/100 mL at 20 ºC

Stability:

Stable, but may react violently with alkalies. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.

CAS DataBase Reference

107-16-4(CAS DataBase Reference)

NIST Chemistry Reference

Acetonitrile, hydroxy-(107-16-4)

EPA Substance Registry System

Formaldehyde cyanohydrin (107-16-4)

Safety

Hazard Codes 

T+

Risk Statements 

26/27/28

Safety Statements 

36/37/39-45-36/37-28

RIDADR 

UN 3276 6.1/PG 1

WGK Germany 

-

RTECS 

AM0350000

HazardClass 

6.1(a)

PackingGroup 

I

Hazardous Substances Data

107-16-4(Hazardous Substances Data)

Hazard and Precautionary Statements (GHS)

Symbol(GHS)

Signal word

Danger

Precautionary statements

P260Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.

P262Do not get in eyes, on skin, or on clothing.

P264Wash hands thoroughly after handling.

P264Wash skin thouroughly after handling.

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

Glycolonitrile Chemical Properties,Usage,Production

Chemical Properties

light yellow liquid (typically available as a concentrated

Chemical Properties

Formaldehyde cyanohydrin is a colorless, odorless, oily liquid. Sweet taste (very highly toxic; do not test).

Uses

Solvent and organic intermediate.

Production Methods

Glycolonitrile is the result of reaction between formaldehyde and aqueous sodium cyanide in the presence of mineral acid.

General Description

Odorless colorless oil with a sweetish taste. Used in the manufacture of intermediates in pharmaceutical production, as a component of synthetic resins, as a chemical intermediate for organic compounds, and as a solvent.

Air & Water Reactions

Water soluble.

Reactivity Profile

Glycolonitrile may undergo spontaneous and violent decomposition. Traces of alkali (base) promote violent polymerization [Lewis].

Hazard

Toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption.

Health Hazard

Extremely toxic, exposure by any route should be avoided; may have fatal consequences; death from asphyxiation may occur similar to that resulting from hydrogen cyanide.

Fire Hazard

Moderate explosion hazard when exposed to heat or by spontaneous chemical reaction in the presence of alkalies if uninhibited. When heated to decomposition, Glycolonitrile emits highly toxic fumes of cyanide and nitrogen oxides. Unstable, may explode on standing. Hazardous polymerization may occur. avoid the presence of alkalis, and exposure to heat.

Potential Exposure

Formaldehyde cyanohydrin is used in the manufacture of intermediates in pharmaceutical produc tion and as a component of synthetic resins as a chemical intermediate for organic compounds, and as a solvent.

Shipping

UN3276 Nitriles, liquid, toxic, n.o.s., Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials, Technical Name Required, Potential Inhalation Hazard (Special Provision 5). UN2810 Toxic liquids, organic, n.o.s., Hazard Class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials, Technical Name Required.

Incompatibilities

Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explo sions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides, and exposure to heat. Unless stabilized with a weak acid solution, traces of alka lis may cause violent polymerization.