Acrylonitrile
From Encyclopædia
Acrylonitrile is a colorless, flammable, toxic liquid with a boiling point of 77 deg C. An organic
molecule with formula CH(2)CH CN, acrylonitrile is slightly soluble in water and completely soluble in most organic
solvents. Because acrylonitrile readily undergoes POLYMERIZATION, it is valuable precursor to such common acrylic fibers as Orlon and Acrilan. It is also used in the making of surface coatings, adhesives, and beverage and food containers. In 1977, studies found acrylonitrile to be a potential carcinogen, and in the following year the U.S. government set standards for exposure in processing
plants. The use of the substance in making nonalcoholic beverage containers was banned from 1977 to 1985, when a manufacturing process was devised that left only acceptably small residual amounts of acrylonitrile in the container.
