2-Chloropropionitrile

2-Chloropropionitrile (2-CPN) is a colorless flammable liquid with a characteristic acrid odor.

Major uses of this chemical are in pharmaceutics and polymer synthesis.

2-Chloropropionitrile was used as initiator during the single-pot atom-transfer radical polymerization under microwave irradiation for the synthesis of polyacrylonitrile. It was used in the synthesis of:

• nitrile functionalized methimazole-based ionic liquids
• (+)- and (-)-anatoxin

Most of the toxicity of propionitrile results from release of cyanide. Cause of death is due to lack of oxygen to the body’s cells, especially to the brain and heart cells.

According to Henry’s law constant of 1.43×10^-5 atmm3 mol^-1, vapor pressure of 2.770mmHg and water solubility of 45 g ml^-1 at 25°C are expected to indicate that volatilization from moist soil and water surfaces is expected to be an important fate process and also it can be volatilized from dry soil surfaces and exist as a vapor in the atmosphere.
When heated to decomposition, it emits very toxic fumes of chlorine-containing compounds: nitrogen oxides, hydrogen cyanide, and hydrogen chloride.