Trifluoroacetonitrile

Trifluoroacetonitrile is a nitrile with the chemical formula CF₃CN.

Trifluoroacetonitrile

Identifiers
CAS Number	353-85-5
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	61029
ECHA InfoCard	100.005.948
EC Number	206-542-6
PubChem CID	67710
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID1059862
InChI InChI=1S/C2F3N/c3-2(4,5)1-6 Key: SFFUEHODRAXXIA-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES FC(F)(F)C#N
Properties
Chemical formula	C2F3N
Molar mass	95.024 g·mol−1
Appearance	colourless gas[1]
Boiling point	−64 °C (1013 hPa)[1]
Solubility in water	insoluble[1]
Related compounds
Related compounds	acetonitrile trifluoromethylisocyanide trichloroacetonitrile
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

Production

Trifluoroacetonitrile can be produced by dehydration of trifluoroacetamide with trifluoroacetic anhydride in pyridine or carbon tetrachloride.^[2][3] This synthesis route was first described by Frédéric Swarts in 1922.^[4]

Trifluoroacetonitrile can also be produced by reacting 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane and ammonia at 610 °C.^[5]

Properties

Trifluoroacetonitrile is a colourless gas that is insoluble in water.^[1] Solid trifluoroacetonitrile's crystal structure is orthorhombic.^[6]

Uses

Trifluoroacetonitrile can be used to prepare other chemicals such as 3-(trifluoromethyl)isoquinoline and 2,4-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidine.^[7][8]