Glycolonitrile

Glycolonitrile, also called hydroxyacetonitrile or formaldehyde cyanohydrin, is the organic compound with the formula HOCH2CN. It is the simplest cyanohydrin and it is derived from formaldehyde. It is a colourless liquid that dissolves in water and ether. Because glycolonitrile decomposes readily into formaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide, it is listed as an extremely hazardous substance. In January 2019, astronomers reported the detection of glycolonitrile, another possible building block of life among other such molecules, in outer space.

Glycolonitrile
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Hydroxyacetonitrile
Other names
  • Cyanomethanol
  • Formaldehyde cyanohydrin
  • Glycolic nitrile
  • Hydroxyacetonitrile
  • Hydroxyethylnitrile
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
605328
ChEBI
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.003.155
EC Number
  • 203-469-1
MeSH glycolonitrile
PubChem CID
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C2H3NO/c3-1-2-4/h4H,2H2 Y
    Key: LTYRAPJYLUPLCI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
SMILES
  • OCC#N
Properties
C2H3NO
Molar mass 57.052 g·mol−1
Appearance Colourless, oily liquid
Odor odorless
Density 1.10 g/mL (18.89°C)
Melting point < −72 °C; −98 °F; 201 K
Boiling point 99.6 °C; 211.2 °F; 372.7 K at 2.3 kPa
soluble
Vapor pressure 1 mmHg (62.78°C)
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
forms cyanide in the body
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
none
REL (Recommended)
C 2 ppm (5 mg/m3) [15-minute]
IDLH (Immediate danger)
N.D.
Related compounds
Related alkanenitriles
Related compounds
DBNPA
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references
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