What is Pyridine?

Pyridine, a colourless to yellow liquid, is a heterocyclic compound with a chemical formula C5H5N.

It is a basic heterocyclic organic compound. The structure of it is like benzene, with one methine group replaced by a nitrogen atom. It has a sour, putrid, and fish-like odour. 

Pyridine can be synthesized from ammonia, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde or it can be made from crude coal tar.

Pyridine is weakly basic and is miscible with water. It is extremely flammable and when inhaled or ingested it becomes toxic. If exposed to pyridine, we may feel nausea, asthmatic breathing, vomiting, headache, laryngitis, and coughing. It is widely used in the precursor to agrochemicals and pharmaceuticals. Also, it is used as an essential reagent and organic solvent.

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