Glycolonitrile

Glycolonitrile

Names
IUPAC name 2-Hydroxyacetonitrile
Other names Cyanomethanol Formaldehyde cyanohydrin Glycolic nitrile Hydroxyacetonitrile Hydroxymethylnitrile
Identifiers
CAS Number	107-16-4 Y
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
Beilstein Reference	605328
ChemSpider	7569 N
ECHA InfoCard	100.003.155
EC Number	203-469-1
MeSH	glycolonitrile
PubChem	7857
UNII	ZCI474BE63 N
InChI InChI=1S/C2H3NO/c3-1-2-4/h4H,2H2 Y Key: LTYRAPJYLUPLCI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
SMILES OCC#N
Properties
Chemical formula	C2H3NO
Molar mass	57.05 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
Solubility in water	soluble
Vapor pressure	1 mmHg (62.78°C)
Hazards
Main hazards	forms cyanide in the body
US health exposure limits (NIOSH):
PEL (Permissible)	none
REL (Recommended)	C 2 ppm (5 mg/m3) [15-minute]
IDLH (Immediate danger)	N.D.
Related compounds
Related alkanenitriles	Hydrogen cyanide Thiocyanic acid Cyanogen iodide Cyanogen bromide Cyanogen chloride Cyanogen fluoride Acetonitrile Aminoacetonitrile Cyanogen Propanenitrile Aminopropionitrile Malononitrile Pivalonitrile Acetone cyanohydrin
Related compounds	DBNPA
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N  (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

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.

Glycolonitrile is produced by reacting formaldehyde with hydrogen cyanide under acidic conditions. This reaction is catalysed by base. Gylcolonitrile polymerizes under alkaline conditions above pH 7.0. As the product of polymerization is an amine with a basic character, the reaction is self-catalysed, gaining in speed with ongoing conversion.

Glycolonitrile can react with ammonia to give aminoacetonitrile, which can be hydrolysed to give glycine:

The industrially important chelating agent EDTA is prepared from glycolonitrile and ethylenediamine followed by hydrolysis of the resulting tetranitrile. Nitrilotriacetic acid is prepared similarly.