Mechanism of action of benzonitrile

 Product identification：

Product name: Benzonitrile
Molecular formula: C7H5N
CAS No.100-47-0

Benzonitrile is a colorless oily liquid with an almond-like odor. It is slightly soluble in cold water, soluble in hot water, and easily soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol and ether. The mechanism of action of benzonitrile can be elaborated from the following aspects:

I. Chemical Properties and Applications

As an Intermediate in Organic Synthesis: Benzonitrile plays a crucial role in chemical synthesis as an intermediate for many important compounds and materials. For example, it can be used to synthesize advanced coatings such as phenyl melamine, as well as compounds such as pesticides, aliphatic amines, and benzoic acid. These compounds have a wide range of applications in agriculture, coatings, plastics, and other fields.

As a Solvent: Benzonitrile possesses good solubilizing properties and can be used as a solvent. In organic synthesis, it is often used as a solvent to dissolve other compounds, thereby facilitating the progress of chemical reactions.

II. Biological Effects and Toxicity

Toxic Effects: Benzonitrile belongs to moderately toxic compounds, with toxicity similar to that of hydrogen cyanide or aliphatic nitriles. It can cause spasms and neural paralysis in animal tissues and can be absorbed through the skin. The LD50 (Lethal Dose 50%) value for subcutaneous injection in mice is 180 mg/kg (this value may vary under different experimental conditions, such as 700 mg/kg for rats via oral administration and 1250 mg/kg for rabbits via oral administration). Additionally, benzonitrile is irritating to the eyes and prolonged skin contact may also cause irritation.

Biodegradability: Benzonitrile exhibits certain biodegradability within organisms. For instance, in the Japanese MITI test, when the initial concentration of benzonitrile was 100 mg/L and the sludge concentration was 30 mg/L, 63% degradation occurred after two weeks. However, the abiotic degradation of benzonitrile in the environment is slower, with a degradation half-life of 49 days (theoretical value) when the hydroxyl radical concentration in the air is 5.00×10^5 per cubic centimeter.

III. Safety and Protection

Safety Measures: Due to its flammable, toxic, and irritant properties, special attention to safety is required during the use and storage of benzonitrile. It should be kept away from fire and heat sources, and the container should be kept sealed. Additionally, it should be stored separately from oxidants, reductants, acids, and other substances to avoid chemical reactions.

Personal Protection: Operators should wear self-inhaling filtered gas masks (half-masks), chemical safety goggles, polyethylene protective clothing, and rubber oil-resistant gloves to ensure personal safety.

IV. Future Development Trends

With the continuous advancement of science and technology, people have a deeper understanding of the properties and applications of benzonitrile. In the future, benzonitrile is expected to find applications in more fields, such as the synthesis of novel materials, the development of environmentally friendly pesticides and dyes, etc. Meanwhile, with the enhancement of environmental awareness, more attention will be paid to the environmental impact and disposal methods of benzonitrile. Therefore, future research will focus more on the green preparation and environmentally friendly applications of benzonitrile to achieve its sustainable development.