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Topic: Distinguishing between CH_3CN and CH_3NC  (Read 4804 times)

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Offline Steenrod

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Distinguishing between CH_3CN and CH_3NC
« on: September 07, 2012, 03:17:00 PM »
How can I (using a chemical test)  distinguish between  CH_3CN  and CH_3NC?Thank you.
I am horrible at chemistry.I am always liable to fail my chemistry exams.So, sorry for stupid questions.

Offline discodermolide

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Re: Distinguishing between CH_3CN and CH_3NC
« Reply #1 on: September 07, 2012, 03:22:50 PM »
How can I (using a chemical test)  distinguish between  CH_3CN  and CH_3NC?Thank you.

You have methyl isocyanate, look up its reactions. The other is a solvent acetonitrile.
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Offline Babcock_Hall

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Re: Distinguishing between CH_3CN and CH_3NC
« Reply #2 on: September 07, 2012, 06:19:13 PM »
The rules of the forum are that you must show an attempt.

Offline mamid

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Re: Distinguishing between CH_3CN and CH_3NC
« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2012, 10:44:05 AM »
You have methyl isocyanate, ...

Actually, it's methyl isocyanide or methyl isonitrile. Otherwise, discodermolide is right: there's a huge difference in reactivity between the two, the nitrile being much less reactive than the isonitrile.
Another difference is in their smell. While acetonitrile/methyl cyanide smells like a tannery, i.e., not particularly pleasant, methyl isonitrile beats it by a huge margin, both in power and unpleasantness.

Offline discodermolide

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Re: Distinguishing between CH_3CN and CH_3NC
« Reply #4 on: September 08, 2012, 10:47:54 AM »
I apologise for my spelling mistake.
I would not advocate smelling methyl isonitrile, it is a very dangerous compound.
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