acetonitrile

[ as-i-toh-nahy-tril, -treel, uh-see-toh- ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a colorless, poisonous, water-soluble liquid, C 2 H 3 N, having an etherlike odor: used chiefly in organic synthesis and as a solvent.

Word History and Origins

Origin of acetonitrile¹

First recorded in 1865–70; aceto- + nitrile

Example Sentences

Based on this theory, the researchers dispersed HB sheets into acetonitrile -- an organic solvent -- and applied a controlled voltage to the dispersion.

From Science Daily

On the jet, they deployed lasers of different wavelengths to map a smoke column in three dimensions in real time; there was an instrument to sense acetonitrile, a chemical known to be an indicator species of biomass burning, while other sensors looked for black and brown carbon, submicron aerosol composition, and a long list of other components.

From Scientific American

After that, he’ll add in other organic compounds of interest, like acetonitrile or benzene.

From New York Times

The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District found that smoke from the USS Bonhomme Richard contained a dozen potentially harmful substances, such as benzene chloromethane and acetonitrile, the San Diego Union-Tribune Reported.

From Washington Times

For instance, acetonitrile, a component of smoke, peaked at half time, when many people lit up a cigarette.

From Science Magazine