A flammable, toxic liquid chemical compound used primarily in the production of acrylic fibers, synthetic rubber, and plastics.
From acryl (acrylic radical) plus nitrile (a class of organic compounds containing carbon-nitrogen triple bonds). The compound name reflects its chemical structure combining acrylic and nitrile functional groups.
Acrylonitrile is the secret ingredient in acrylic sweaters and Olympic-grade athletic fabrics—but it's so toxic that workers who handle it have to wear special protective equipment, and exposure can cause serious health problems!
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