Chemical Properties
colourless liquid
Uses
Bis(2-cyanoethyl)amine is used as pharmaceutical intermediates.
General Description
Clear colorless liquid.
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble. Moisture sensitive. Some 18-month old bottles of 3,3'-IMINODIPROPIONITRILE exploded, probably owing to slow hydrolysis and buildup of pressure. Solutions in water are unstable above pH 4. .
Reactivity Profile
Nitriles, such as 3,3'-IMINODIPROPIONITRILE, may polymerize in the presence of metals and some metal compounds. They are incompatible with acids; mixing nitriles with strong oxidizing acids can lead to extremely violent reactions. Nitriles are generally incompatible with other oxidizing agents such as peroxides and epoxides. The combination of bases and nitriles can produce hydrogen cyanide. Nitriles are hydrolyzed in both aqueous acid and base to give carboxylic acids (or salts of carboxylic acids). These reactions generate heat. Peroxides convert nitriles to amides. Nitriles can react vigorously with reducing agents. Acetonitrile and propionitrile are soluble in water, but nitriles higher than propionitrile have low aqueous solubility. They are also insoluble in aqueous acids.
Fire Hazard
3,3'-IMINODIPROPIONITRILE is combustible.