acrylonitrile

[ak-ruh-loh-nahy-tril, -treel, -trahyl]

noun

Chemistry.

1. a colorless, flammable, poisonous, carcinogenic liquid, C 3 H 3 N, used for the production of polymers and copolymers, as rubbers, fibers, and clear plastics for beverage containers.

acrylonitrile

/ ˌækrɪləʊˈnaɪtraɪl /

noun

1. Also called: vinylcyanide. a colourless liquid that is miscible with water and has toxic fumes: used in the manufacture of acrylic fibres and resins, rubber, and thermoplastics. Formula: CH 2 :CHCN

acrylonitrile

1. A colorless, poisonous, liquid organic compound having a wide variety of industrial uses, such as in the manufacture of acrylic fibers, resins, and acrylamide. Chemical formula: C ₃ H ₃ N.

Word History and Origins

Origin of acrylonitrile¹

First recorded in 1890–95; acryl(ic) + -o- + nitrile

Word History and Origins

Origin of acrylonitrile¹

C20: from _acrylic + _nitrile

Example Sentences

At launch, each motor had about 1.1 million pounds of polybutadiene acrylonitrile copolymer propellant, which has the consistency of a pencil eraser.

From Los Angeles Times

Those boosters — the twin white cylinders on either side of the rocket — are 17 stories high and are packed with a solid rocket fuel called polybutadiene acrylonitrile.

From The Verge

Of those, six were challenged in court and only one survived unscathed: a standard issued in 1978 aimed at exposure to acrylonitrile, a chemical used in rubber manufacturing.

From Reuters

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued an emergency temporary standard for acrylonitrile in 1978, and a court challenge was unsuccessful.

From Washington Post

The safety information for people working with acrylonitrile says: “Toxic if inhaled; May cause respiratory irritation; May cause cancer; Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child.”

From The Verge