Benzyl cyanide
Benzyl cyanide, α - Tolunitrile
Colorless oily liquid with aromatic odor
Liquid
1.02 g · cm -3
-26 ° C
234 ° C
0.07 hPa ( 20 ° C)
Poorly in water ( 1.7 g · l-1 at 20 ° C)
1.5211 (25 ° C)
Risk
270 mg · kg -1 ( LD50, rat, oral)
Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available
Phenylacetonitrile is (pure chem, but mostly yellowish ) a at room temperature as a colorless liquid present, highly toxic chemical compound. In nature, phenylacetonitrile found in garden cress. It is used as a fragrance of insects ( pheromone ).
Representation and extraction
Phenylacetonitrile can be obtained chlorination of toluene to benzyl chloride and subsequent reaction with sodium cyanide in ethanol in accordance with the Kolbe- nitrile.
Use
Phenylacetonitrile used as an intermediate in the chemical industry and as a fragrance. The compound is the starting material for the preparation of phenylacetic acid.