Isobutyronitrile, often recognized by its formula C4H7N, appears across multiple industries that require strong solvent properties and dependable chemical intermediates. Sometimes called 2-methylpropanenitrile, this substance looks like a clear liquid under room temperature, but changes with its environment, showing itself as a solid or powder depending on how cold it gets. You might run into a batch of flakes, pearls, or even a crystal form if the conditions line up. With a sharp odor that hints at its strength, Isobutyronitrile is never hard to identify once you’ve had some experience around it. Its molecular weight sits at about 69.1 g/mol, with the structure branching the nitrile group off a short carbon chain, giving it a unique mix of physical and chemical behaviors.
Density tends to fall near 0.775 g/cm3 at 20°C, lighter than water, so spills spread wide and quick unless you keep a steady hand. This chemical brings a boiling point of around 108°C and a freezing point not far below -80°C, which lets it move between liquid, powder, or even frozen flakes with changes in the weather or storage area. Its solubility isn’t universal — mixing with many organic solvents but not showing much interest in bonding with water. You can ship it in drums, bottles, or tanks, but safety always demands tight seals since vapors move fast and can be dangerous if left unchecked in a workspace.
A nitrogen atom attached to a branched alkyl group defines the structure, bringing reactivity that sits at the center of its use as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals and other fine chemicals. Double bonds don’t play a role here; it’s all about that triple-bonded nitrile group pulling electrons and making the whole molecule ready to participate in chemical syntheses. If you put Isobutyronitrile up against sunlight or heat, you’ll spot some degradation over time, which is why storage keeps to cool, dry, and dark places. Reactivity toward bases and acids matters, too — in the wrong mix, you’ll get side products that waste both time and raw material.
Whether you need flakes for easy weighing in a lab or prefer a liquid solution for industrial dosing, producers offer several options. Solid, powder, flakes, and even pearls can show up from the same batch, depending on storage temperature and packaging. Some plants keep liquid stocks to pump straight into reactors, while others want single-crystal purity for narrow synthetic steps. You’ll spot this chemical not just in labs, but in the materials stream for making medicines, dyes, pesticides, and certain resins. Once you know its look, the smell alone can pick it out from a hundred others, just from opening the cap of a container.
HS Code for Isobutyronitrile lands most often at 2926909090, matching up with other organic nitrile compounds. Customs and shipping offices track this not only for tariffs, but also because of safety rules for transport and handling. Every transfer and trade requires paperwork confirming purity, amount, and intended use, so regulators can keep dangerous chemicals from misuse. This code isn’t just a number — it locks the product into a global system of rules that connect all buyers, sellers, and shippers.
Anyone using Isobutyronitrile must respect the hazards: inhalation irritates the lungs, and skin contact leads to rashes or, in worse cases, more serious burns. Absorption through skin or accidental swallowing creates health risks, with symptoms from dizziness up to more severe nervous system effects if exposure runs high. Spilled material finds its way into soil or drains unless crews follow strict cleanup routines with containment and neutralization. Even with gloves and goggles, you smell the unmistakable sharpness, which reminds you to check ventilation every day. Disposal routes never run casual since authorities monitor every kilogram. In my experience, the old habit of double-checking every connection and always labeling containers saves time and health in the long run. Every spilled liter can mean contamination, involving not just your site, but possibly the neighborhood water if things go wrong. Even as a raw material, the risk profile means nobody gets casual on safety or storage.
Facilities face the real need to keep Isobutyronitrile cool, well-labeled, and separated from acids, bases, or oxidizers. Acidic vapors or strong base contact can trigger unwanted reactions, so only well-designed storage with proper airflow will do. Personal protective equipment makes all the difference: chemical gloves, splash-proof goggles, and tough lab coats stop the worst exposures. I’ve seen places skimp on ventilation or skip regular checks, and cleanup costs plus downtime always outrun any operation’s original savings. Training everyone on-site and keeping MSDS sheets visible helps prevent surprises, especially if an unexpected leak or exposure hits the team.
Markets value Isobutyronitrile’s role most in organic syntheses, pharmaceutical intermediates, agricultural production, and the manufacture of specialty resins. Sometimes users choose it for its clean reaction pathways, other times for the way it tolerates specific process conditions. In my own years working with raw chemicals, switching to this molecule sped up production schedules and improved yield over older nitrile compounds — but only after retraining and regular maintenance on the transfer pumps. The lesson holds true: efficiency and safety go hand in hand with chemicals at this level. Nobody works alone, and every single batch counts for the bottom line, safety report, and the community outside the factory gates.
