Lactonitrile

Lactonitrile

Names
IUPAC name 2-Hydroxypropanenitrile
Other names Acetaldehyde cyanohydrin
Identifiers
CAS Number	78-97-7 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	21106532
ECHA InfoCard	100.001.058
PubChem CID	6572
InChI InChI=1S/C3H5NO/c1-3(5)2-4/h3,5H,1H3 Key: WOFDVDFSGLBFAC-UHFFFAOYSA-N InChI=1/C3H5NO/c1-3(5)2-4/h3,5H,1H3 Key: WOFDVDFSGLBFAC-UHFFFAOYAF
SMILES N#CC(C)O
Properties
Chemical formula	C3H5NO
Molar mass	71.08 g·mol−1
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Lactonitrile is a chemical compound used as a solvent and as an intermediate in the industrial production of ethyl lactate and lactic acid.^[1][2] It is the cyanohydrin derived from acetaldehyde.

Synthesis

Lactonitrile is obtained by reacting hydrogen cyanide with acetaldehyde.^[3]

Applications

Lactonitrile is used in making esters of lactic acid.

Regulations

The substance is classified as an extremely hazardous substance in the United States as defined in Section 302 of the U.S. Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (42 U.S.C. 11002), and is subject to strict reporting requirements by facilities which produce, store, or use it in significant quantities.^[4]

References