Light yellow, gas, slightly water soluble,
soluble in organic solvents.
Tear gas in riot control and a war gas, and agri-
cultural fungicide to control certain fungal diseases
of stone fruit.
The preparation of bromophenylacetonitrile consists of three
steps: chlorination of toluene to form benzyl chloride,
(2) conversion of benzyl chloride to benzyl cyanide by action
of sodium cyanide in alcoholic solution, and bromination
of benzyl cyanide with bromide vapor in the presence of
sunlight.
Poison by ingestion.
Moderately toxic to humans by inhalation.
When heated to decomposition it emits very
toxic fumes of NOx, Br-, and CN-. See also
NITRILES.
