Benzonitrile is the chemical compound with the formula C, abbreviated PhCN. This aromatic organic compound is a colorless liquid with a sweet bitter almond odour. It is mainly used as a precursor to the resin benzoguanamine.
Benzonitrile is a useful solvent and a versatile precursor to many derivatives. It reacts with amines to afford N-substituted benzamides after hydrolysis.
Benzonitrile is used as a solvent and chemical intermediate for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, dyestuffs and rubber chemicals through the reactions.
It is convenient to use a sealed stirrer, such as the Trubore stirrer, which may be left in the flask during the distillation of thionyl chloride and benzene at reduced pressure; however, the stirrer cannot be left running during this distillation, for it is stopped by the cake of acid chloride hydrochloride. The distillations are accomplished most conveniently if the dropping funnel is removed and replaced by a capillary and the stirrer is left in place but not running during the distillations.