Title: Malononitrile
CAS Registry Number: 109-77-3
CAS Name: Propanedinitrile
Synonyms: methylene cyanide; dicyanomethane; cyanoacetonitrile
Molecular Formula: C3H2N2
Molecular Weight: 66.06
Percent Composition: C 54.54%, H 3.05%, N 42.41%
Line Formula: CH2(CN)2
Literature References: Prepn: Henri,
Compt. Rend. 102, 1394 (1886); B. B. Corson
et al., Org. Synth. coll. vol. 2, 379 (1943); A. R. Surrey,
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 65, 2471 (1943);
idem, US 2389217 (1945 to Winthrop);
idem, Org. Synth. coll. vol. 3, 535 (1955). Toxicity study: G. R. N. Jones, M. S. Israel,
Nature 228, 1315 (1970).
Reviews: F. Freeman,
Chem. Rev. 69, 591-624 (1969); A. J. Fatiadi,
Synthesis 1978, 165-204, 241-282.
Properties: Colorless solid, mp 32°. bp760 218-219°, bp20 109°. d420 1.1910;
nD34 1.4146. Very sol in alc, ether; sol in water, acetone, benzene. LD50 i.p. in mice: 12.9 mg/kg (Jones, Israel).
Melting point: mp 32°
Boiling point: bp760 218-219°; bp20 109°
Index of refraction: nD34 1.4146
Density: d420 1.1910
Toxicity data: LD50 i.p. in mice: 12.9 mg/kg (Jones, Israel)
CAUTION: Potential symptoms of overexposure are irritation of eyes, skin, nose, throat; headache, dizziness, weakness, giddiness, confusion, convulsions; dyspnea; abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting.
See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 190.
Use: In organic synthesis.