Acrylonitrile is a chemical compound that is widely used in the production of synthetic fibers, plastics, and resins. It is a colorless, volatile liquid with a pungent odor and is highly flammable. In this article, we will explore the definition, meaning, and associations of acrylonitrile.
Definitions
Acrylonitrile is a chemical compound with the formula C3H3N. It is also known as vinyl cyanide, 2-propenenitrile, and cyanoethylene. Acrylonitrile is a monomer that is used in the production of various polymers such as polyacrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), and acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate (ASA).
Origin
Acrylonitrile was first synthesized in 1893 by the French chemist Charles Moureu. However, it was not until the 1930s that it was produced on an industrial scale. Today, acrylonitrile is primarily produced by the ammoxidation of propylene or propane.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, acrylonitrile is defined as “a flammable, toxic, colorless liquid nitrile C3H3N used especially in making synthetic fibers, resins, plastics, and elastomers.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines acrylonitrile as “a colorless, volatile liquid with a pungent odor, used in the manufacture of synthetic fibers, plastics, and resins.”
Associations
Acrylonitrile is classified as a hazardous substance by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Union. It is toxic and can cause a range of health effects such as respiratory irritation, nausea, and headaches. Long-term exposure to acrylonitrile has been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Synonyms
Some of the synonyms of acrylonitrile include vinyl cyanide, 2-propenenitrile, and cyanoethylene.
Antonyms
There are no antonyms of acrylonitrile as it is a chemical compound.
The same root words
Acrylonitrile is derived from the root words acryl and nitrile. Acryl refers to a group of unsaturated organic compounds that contain the acryloyl group (-CH2CH=CH2), while nitrile refers to a functional group (-C≡N) that is present in organic compounds.
Example Sentences
- The production of synthetic fibers relies heavily on the use of acrylonitrile.
- Workers in factories that produce acrylonitrile are at risk of exposure to harmful chemicals.
- The use of acrylonitrile in plastics and resins has revolutionized the manufacturing industry.
- The chemical structure of acrylonitrile contains the acryloyl and nitrile functional groups.