Acetone Cyanohydrin (ACH): Properties, Structure, and Material Profile

What Is Acetone Cyanohydrin?

Acetone cyanohydrin, a chemical bearing the formula C4H7NO, forms through the reaction between acetone and hydrogen cyanide. Often appearing as a colorless to pale yellow liquid, ACH emits a characteristic odor. In the world of raw materials, ACH anchors itself thanks to its role in manufacturing plastics, especially methyl methacrylate. Its structure includes a cyanohydrin functional group, connecting a cyano group (-CN) to the acetone backbone. In daily operations, handling acetone cyanohydrin involves considering its physical state, purity, and how easily it changes properties with temperature and storage—a constant reminder that knowing the material inside and out brings safety and efficiency.

ACH Specifications and Physical Characteristics

Acetone cyanohydrin has a molecular weight of 85.11 g/mol. Its chemical properties come into play quickly because of its boiling point at around 120°C under standard pressure, and a melting point sitting near -19°C. The density clocks in at roughly 0.93 g/cm³ at 20°C, making it less dense than water, which influences storage container choice and transport packaging. ACH commonly reaches users in liquid form but occasionally appears as crystals when cooled. Most operations favor handling it as a clear liquid, with crystal, powder, or pearls forms being rare in industrial supply chains. Offering a high level of solubility in common organic solvents, acetone cyanohydrin dissolves in water too, though it will decompose in the presence of moisture, generating acetone and hydrogen cyanide—each with its own hazards. Reliable data also points to a refractive index around 1.4190, and a vapor pressure that warrants proper sealing and controlled environments. Its unstabilized solutions break down quickly, but stabilized product ensures both consistency and safety.

HS Code, Applications, and Industry Use

Industry identifies acetone cyanohydrin under HS Code 29269090, a designation covering nitrile compounds like cyanohydrins. The HS Code simplifies cross-border movement, but the real-world use cases tell a larger story. As a crucial raw material, ACH stands at the starting point for synthesizing methyl methacrylate, which in turn forms acrylic sheets and paints found almost everywhere—from car headlights to medical devices. Now, every step from ACH to end product must factor in the chemical’s volatility and toxic byproducts. That’s why large-scale production facilities adopt both ventilation standards and rigorous handling checkpoints. In my own experience working with raw material importers, the paperwork for ACH shipments never moves without clear documentation of storage and transport conditions, emphasizing the seriousness of its hazardous classification.

Safety, Hazards, and Handling

Acetone cyanohydrin brings several hazards to the table. It decomposes in the presence of heat, moisture, or acids, releasing hydrogen cyanide—a highly poisonous gas. Exposure by inhalation or skin contact can cause severe health effects, including respiratory distress, central nervous system depression, and even fatality in high concentrations. Managing ACH means locking down all safe handling protocols: chemical-resistant gloves, splash-proof goggles, and local exhaust ventilation at transfer points. Safety data points to permissible exposure limits as low as 5 ppm for hydrogen cyanide, and spills require fast containment, evacuation, and spill kits with appropriate neutralizers, not just absorbents. From direct experience, regular training evolves into muscle memory for those who handle ACH daily, since lapses hold real consequences. Responders always keep a cyanide antidote kit nearby, with drills and scenario planning as regular fixtures of plant life.

Choosing and Storing ACH: Material Integrity

Proper storage makes all the difference. For acetone cyanohydrin, this means stainless steel or other compatible, sealed containers, stored in temperature-controlled environments away from acids, moisture, or direct sunlight. Stability relies on keeping the product within a narrow temperature band, well below its boiling point and far from ignition sources, given the flammable and volatile nature of the material. ACH in bulk demands UN-rated drums or IBC tanks; the material safety sheet spells out each approved vessel. Over years in distribution, the only serious mishaps I’ve seen have followed either improper storage or unlabelled repackaging—small oversights with outsized risk. Inventory control systems and visual inspections keep material integrity in check. Safety interlocks and level alarms safeguard against accidental releases.

Real-World Importance and Future Solutions

The chemical supply chain, especially for essential intermediates like acetone cyanohydrin, depends on unwavering safety and regulatory discipline. Whether entering a plastics facility or transiting through a port, ACH draws attention for its dual status as a production backbone and a potent hazardous material. Digital tracking and sensor-equipped storage are beginning to enter the industry, promising to flag temperature spikes, leaks, or unauthorized opening in real time—steps that avoid incidents before they start. My time consulting for a regional chemical distributor showed how these new tools elevate confidence and lower anxiety—not only for the warehouse crew but for the communities surrounding industrial hubs. Conversations always returned to the same message: handle with respect, invest in improvements, and treat regulatory compliance as the baseline, not the goal. This culture of care serves everyone who touches the product, from loading dock to laboratory.