Acrylamide

January 06, 2020
I鈥檓 a useful monomer, but oh so dangerous.
What molecule am I?
Image of Acrylamide 3D Image of Acrylamide

Acrylamide is the simplest unsaturated organic amide. Despite its low molar mass, and because it is highly polar, it is a solid rather than a liquid. As the hazard information table indicates, it is extremely toxic in multiple ways.

In 1949, Otto Bayer at Bayer AG (Leverkusen, West Germany) described the preparation of acrylamide. (Bayer was not related to the founding Bayer family.) Chemist Bayer synthesized acrylamide via the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of acrylonitrile. This is the only manufacturing method in use today. But in 2019, Kemira Ltd. (Helsinki, Finland) announced that it will begin to produce in its Mobile, AL, plant.

By far the major use of acrylamide is polymerization into polyacrylamides, which, depending on their molar masses and degree of cross-linking, are valuable for flocculating solids suspended in water, thickening water for use in enhanced petroleum recovery, and agricultural soil conditioning.

Acrylamide has become notorious in the past 20 years because traces of it have been found in commercial and home-cooked foods. Most of these are starchy foods such as French fries, potato chips, and some breads. In general, . Smoking tobacco, however, results in much than any food source.

Acrylamide hazard information

GHS classification*: acute toxicity, oral, category 3
H301鈥擳oxic if swallowedChemical Safety Warning
GHS classification: acute toxicity, dermal, category 4
H312鈥擧armful in contact with skinChemical Safety Warning
GHS classification: skin corrosion/irritation, category 2
H315鈥擟auses skin irritationChemical Safety Warning
GHS classification: skin sensitization, category 1
H317鈥擬ay cause an allergic skin reactionChemical Safety Warning
GHS classification: serious eye damage/eye irritation, category 2A
H319鈥擟auses serious eye irritation聽Chemical Safety Warning
GHS classification: 聽acute toxicity, inhalation, category 4
H332鈥擧armful if inhaledChemical Safety Warning
GHS classification: 聽germ cell mutagenicity, category 1B
H340鈥擬ay cause genetic defects聽Chemical Safety Warning
GHS classification: 聽carcinogenicity, category 1B
H350鈥擬ay cause cancerChemical Safety Warning
GHS classification: reproductive toxicity, category 2
H361f鈥擲uspected of damaging fertilityChemical Safety Warning
GHS classification: specific target organ toxicity, oral, repeated exposure, category 1
H372鈥擟auses damage to organs (testes, peripheral nervous system) through prolonged or repeated exposure if swallowedChemical Safety Warning

**Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals.聽

Acrylamide fast facts

CAS Reg. No.79-06-1

nomenclature
2-Propenamide
Empirical formulaC3H5NO
Molar mass71.08 g/mol
AppearanceWhite crystals
Melting point84.5 潞C
Water solubility2.04 kg/L (25 潞C)
Chemical Abstract Service - a division of ACS

, the most authoritative and comprehensive source for chemical information.

Molecule of the Week needs your suggestions!

If your favorite molecule is not in our聽archive, please send us a message. The molecule can be notable for its current or historical importance or for any quirky reason. Thank you!

Stay Ahead of the Chemistry Curve

Learn how ACS can help you stay ahead in the world of chemistry.