| Agent Name |
Benzyl cyanide |
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| Alternative Name |
Phenylacetonitrile |
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| CAS Number |
140-29-4 |
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| Formula |
C8-H7-N |
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| Major Category |
Toxic Gases & Vapors |
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| Synonyms |
(Cyanomethyl)benzene; 2-Phenylacetonitrile; Acetic acid, phenyl-nitrile; Acetonitrile, phenyl-; Benzeneacetonitrile; Benzyl nitrile; Benzylkyanid [Czech]; Benzylnitrile; Phenyl acetyl nitrile; Toluene, alpha-cyano-; alpha-Cyanotoluene; alpha-Tolunitrile; [ChemIDplus] UN2470 |
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| Category |
Nitriles |
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| Description |
Colorless liquid; [HSDB] Faintly yellow liquid, soluble in water; [MSDSonline] |
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| Sources/Uses |
Used in organic synthesis; as a chemical intermediate for pharmaceutical drugs; with esters for perfumes and flavors; in the synthesis of optical bleaches for fibers; in the production of insecticides; [HSDB] |
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| Comments |
A skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritant, possibly burning skin and eyes; Toxic by inhalation, ingestion, and skin absorption; [CAMEO] Highly toxic; Oral LD50 (mouse) = 45.5 mg/kg; Skin LD50 (rat) = 2000 mg/kg; [MSDSonline] See "CYANIDES." |
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| Exposure Assessment |
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| PEL (OSHA) |
5 mg/m3, as CN |
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| MAK |
2 mg/m3, inhalable fraction, as CN |
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| IDLH (NIOSH) |
25 mg/m3, as CN |
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| Vapor Pressure |
0.08 mm Hg |
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| Lethal Concentration |
LC50 (rats) = 430 mg/m3/2h |
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| Explanatory Notes |
Flash point = 102 deg C; [HSDB] bp = 233.5 deg C; [Ullmann] |
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| Flammability (NFPA) |
1: must be preheated |
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| Adverse Effects |
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| Other Poison |
Chemical Asphyxiant |
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| Links to Other NLM Databases |
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| Health Studies |
Human Health Effects from Hazardous Substances Data Bank: PHENYLACETONITRILE
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