Acetonitrile

Acetonitrile is a colorless, volatile organic liquid with formula CH₃CN. Its polarity, ability to dissolve many compounds, and low viscosity make it a widely used solvent and chemical intermediate.

High-performance liquid chromatography: A liquid chromatography technique that separates compounds under pressure using a packed column. Acetonitrile is a common mobile-phase solvent because it mixes with water and has low viscosity.
Nitrile: An organic compound containing a carbon–nitrogen triple bond in a cyano group. Acetonitrile is the simplest nitrile, with its cyano group attached to a methyl group.
Boiling point: The temperature at which a liquid’s vapor pressure equals the surrounding pressure. Acetonitrile boils near 82 °C, contributing to its volatility and ease of removal.
Methanol: The simplest alcohol, a volatile and polar liquid with formula CH₃OH. Methanol is a common chromatography solvent, but its protic character differs from acetonitrile’s.
Electrospray ionization: An ionization method that turns molecules in solution into gas-phase ions using an electric field. Acetonitrile-rich solutions aid droplet formation and evaporation in mass spectrometry.
Dipole moment: A measure of the separation of positive and negative charge within a molecule. The strongly polarized carbon–nitrogen bond gives acetonitrile a substantial molecular dipole.
Vapor pressure: The pressure exerted by a vapor in equilibrium with its liquid or solid. Its appreciable vapor pressure means acetonitrile can evaporate readily at room temperature.
Ethanol: A two-carbon alcohol with formula C₂H₅OH, widely used as a solvent and fuel. Ethanol is a protic alternative whose solvent strength and chromatographic selectivity differ.
Lithium-ion battery: A rechargeable battery that stores energy through lithium-ion transfer between electrodes. Acetonitrile is studied as a low-viscosity solvent for some battery electrolytes.
Dielectric constant: A measure of how strongly a material reduces electric fields within it. Acetonitrile’s dielectric constant helps it dissolve many ionic and polar substances.

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