Trifluoroacetonitrile Explained

Trifluoroacetonitrile is a nitrile with the chemical formula CF₃CN.

Production

Trifluoroacetonitrile can be produced by dehydration of trifluoroacetamide with trifluoroacetic anhydride in pyridine or carbon tetrachloride.^[1] This synthesis route was first described by Frédéric Swarts in 1922.^[2]

Trifluoroacetonitrile can also be produced by reacting 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane and ammonia at 610 °C.

Properties

Trifluoroacetonitrile is a colourless gas that is insoluble in water. Solid trifluoroacetonitrile's crystal structure is orthorhombic.

Uses

Trifluoroacetonitrile can be used to prepare other chemicals such as 3-(trifluoromethyl)isoquinoline and 2,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidine.

References

1. Web site: Synthesis method for pesticide intermediate trifluoroacetonitrile. google.com. en.
2. F. Swarts, Bulletin des Sociétés Chimiques Belges, 1922, Vol 31, S. 364–365.