Aminoacetonitrile Hydrochloride

Aminoacetonitrile hydrochloride (glycinonitrile hydrochloride) is one of the simplest alpha-aminonitriles — a white to pale yellow hygroscopic crystalline powder at room temperature. Readily soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol and methanol; hygroscopic and gradually reddening in air; an important pharmaceutical and agrochemical intermediate. Store sealed in a cool, dry place.

The nitrile can be hydrolyzed (to glycine), added and reduced (to ethylenediamine); the basicity and nucleophilicity of the alpha-amino group allow condensation with carbonyl compounds. Alpha-aminonitriles are key building blocks for important heterocycles and amino acids such as imidazoles, thiazoles, purines and histidine, with broad application in drug synthesis.