acrylonitrile

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acrylonitrile

chemical compound

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July 23, 2026

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Acrylonitrile is a colorless, volatile, and flammable liquid nitrile with the chemical formula C₃H₃N. It is primarily used in organic synthesis and for polymerization. Acrylonitrile is produced through a process called ammoxidation, which involves the oxidation of propylene in the presence of ammonia and a catalyst.12

This compound is a key component in various polymeric substances, including acrylic textile fibers, synthetic rubbers, and thermoplastic resins. Polymers derived from acrylonitrile, known as polyacrylonitrile (PAN), are extensively used in acrylic fibers, which are valued for their softness, flexibility, and wool-like properties, making them suitable for apparel and carpets. Acrylic fibers also offer advantages over natural fibers like wool, such as better resistance to light, mildew, and moths. Additionally, PAN serves as a precursor for carbon and graphite fibers and finds applications in industrial filters and battery separators.23

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acrylamide
Manufacture and applications of acrylamide
…mainly through the hydration of acrylonitrile (CH₂CHCN) from either sulfuric acid or copper catalysts. In 1980 an enzyme known as nitrile hydratase, which is also capable of generating acrylamide from acrylonitrile, was discovered in microorganisms. This enzyme subsequently succeeded the use of sulfuric acid and copper catalysts in the industrial…
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…mainly through the hydration of acrylonitrile (CH₂CHCN) from either sulfuric acid or copper catalysts. In 1980 an enzyme known as nitrile hydratase, which is also capable of generating acrylamide from acrylonitrile, was discovered in microorganisms. This enzyme subsequently succeeded the use of sulfuric acid and copper catalysts in the industrial…
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chemical industry
Elastomers
Figure 3 also shows that acrylonitrile can be copolymerized with butadiene (roughly one-third acrylonitrile, two-thirds butadiene) to form nitrile rubber (NBR). This synthetic has different properties from other synthetics and is used for rubber hose, tank lining, conveyor belts, gaskets, and wire insulation. Acrylonitrile and styrene, together with butadiene, form…
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Figure 3 also shows that acrylonitrile can be copolymerized with butadiene (roughly one-third acrylonitrile, two-thirds butadiene) to form nitrile rubber (NBR). This synthetic has different properties from other synthetics and is used for rubber hose, tank lining, conveyor belts, gaskets, and wire insulation. Acrylonitrile and styrene, together with butadiene, form…
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hydrocarbon
Chemical properties
…to acetylene, the product is acrylonitrile (CH₂=CHCN). Both vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile are valuable starting materials for the production of useful polymers (see below Polymerization), but neither is prepared in significant quantities from acetylene, because each is available at lower cost from an alkene (vinyl chloride from ethylene and acrylonitrile…
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…to acetylene, the product is acrylonitrile (CH₂=CHCN). Both vinyl chloride and acrylonitrile are valuable starting materials for the production of useful polymers (see below Polymerization), but neither is prepared in significant quantities from acetylene, because each is available at lower cost from an alkene (vinyl chloride from ethylene and acrylonitrile…
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hydrogen cyanide
…employed in the preparation of acrylonitrile, which is used in the production of acrylic fibres, synthetic rubber, and plastics.
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…employed in the preparation of acrylonitrile, which is used in the production of acrylic fibres, synthetic rubber, and plastics.
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modacrylic
…weight of the chemical compound acrylonitrile. It is a modified form of the acrylic group, fibres composed of a minimum of 85 percent acrylonitrile. Modacrylic fibres include trademarked Dynel (acrylonitrile and polyvinyl chloride) and Verel (acrylonitrile and vinylidene chloride).
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…weight of the chemical compound acrylonitrile. It is a modified form of the acrylic group, fibres composed of a minimum of 85 percent acrylonitrile. Modacrylic fibres include trademarked Dynel (acrylonitrile and polyvinyl chloride) and Verel (acrylonitrile and vinylidene chloride).
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nitrile
Acrylonitrile is produced in large quantities by a process called ammoxidation that depends on the oxidation of propylene in the presence of ammonia and a catalyst. Acrylonitrile constitutes an important component of several polymeric substances, including the acrylic textile fibres and synthetic rubbers and thermoplastic…
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Acrylonitrile is produced in large quantities by a process called ammoxidation that depends on the oxidation of propylene in the presence of ammonia and a catalyst. Acrylonitrile constitutes an important component of several polymeric substances, including the acrylic textile fibres and synthetic rubbers and thermoplastic…
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major industrial polymers
Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)
Acrylonitrile (CH₂=CHCN), a compound obtained by reacting propylene with ammonia (NH₃) and oxygen in the presence of catalysts, is polymerized to polyacrylonitrile through suspension methods using free-radical initiators. The structure of the polymer repeating unit is:
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Acrylonitrile (CH₂=CHCN), a compound obtained by reacting propylene with ammonia (NH₃) and oxygen in the presence of catalysts, is polymerized to polyacrylonitrile through suspension methods using free-radical initiators. The structure of the polymer repeating unit is:
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