Acrylamide is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH₂=CHCNH₂. It is formed in some foods when they are cooked at high temperatures. It can potentially be harmful if consumed in large amounts, so it’s important to limit its intake.
| IUPAC Name | Prop-2-enamide |
| Molecular Formula | C3H5NO |
| CAS Number | 79-06-1 |
| Synonyms | 2-Propenamide, acrylic amide, ethylenecarboxamide, propenoic acid |
| InChI | InChI=1S/C3H5NO/c1-2-3(4)5/h2H,1H2,(H2,4,5) |
Acrylamide Properties
Acrylamide Formula
The chemical formula for acrylamide is C3H5NO. It consists of three carbon atoms, five hydrogen atoms, one nitrogen atom, and one oxygen atom. The molecule has a double bond between the second carbon and the nitrogen atom, which makes it an unsaturated amide. Acrylamide is an organic compound that can be synthesized through the reaction of acrylonitrile with water or ammonia.
Acrylamide Molar Mass
The molar mass of acrylic amide is 71.08 g/mol. It is a relatively small molecule that is soluble in water and other polar solvents. The molar mass is important for calculating the number of moles of acrylic amide present in a given sample.
Acrylamide Boiling Point
The boiling point of acrylic amide is 125 °C (257 °F). It is a relatively low boiling point, which means that acrylic amide can easily evaporate when heated. The boiling point is an important physical property of acrylic amide that is useful in determining its behavior during heating and processing.
Acrylamide Melting Point
The melting point of acrylic amide is 84.5 °C (184.1 °F). It is a relatively low melting point, which means that acrylic amide can easily melt when heated. The melting point is an important physical property of acrylic amide that is useful in determining its behavior during processing and storage.
Acrylamide Density g/mL
The density of acrylic amide is 1.122 g/mL at room temperature. It is a relatively dense liquid that can sink in water. The density is an important physical property of acrylic amide that is useful in determining its behavior during mixing and processing.
Acrylamide Molecular Weight
The molecular weight of acrylic amide is 71.08 g/mol. It is a relatively small molecule that can easily penetrate biological membranes. The molecular weight is important for determining the bioavailability and toxicity of acrylic amide.
Acrylamide Structure
Acrylamide has a planar structure with a double bond between the second carbon and the nitrogen atom. The molecule has a linear shape with a bond angle of approximately 121 degrees. The structure of acrylic amide is important for understanding its chemical and physical properties.
Acrylamide Solubility
Acrylamide is soluble in water and other polar solvents. It is a relatively hydrophilic molecule that can easily dissolve in water. The solubility of acrylic amide is important for determining its behavior during processing and storage. It is also important for understanding the bioavailability and toxicity of acrylic amide in biological systems.
| Appearance | White |
| Specific Gravity | 1.122 |
| Color | Colorless |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Molar Mass | 71.08 g/mol |
| Density | 1.122 g/mL |
| Melting Point | 84.5 °C (184.1 °F) |
| Boiling Point | 125 °C (257 °F) |
| Flash Point | 71 °C (160 °F) |
| Water Solubility | 215 g/L at 20 °C |
| Solubility | Soluble in water, ethanol, methanol, acetone, chloroform |
| Vapour Pressure | 0.06 kPa at 20 °C |
| Vapour Density | 2.45 (air = 1) |
| pKa | 14.00 |
| pH | 6.5 – 7.5 |
Acrylamide Safety and Hazards
Acrylamide is a hazardous chemical that can pose risks to human health and the environment. It is a potential carcinogen and neurotoxin that can cause damage to the nervous system. Exposure to acrylic amide can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. The primary sources of exposure are occupational settings such as industries that produce or use acrylic amide. The chemical can also form in food during high-temperature cooking processes such as frying, baking, or roasting. Therefore, it is important to handle and use acrylic amide with appropriate safety measures and to minimize its formation in food processing.
| Hazard Symbols | T, N |
| Safety Description | Toxic, harmful, dangerous for the environment |
| UN IDs | UN2074 |
| HS Code | 29241900 |
| Hazard Class | 6.1 (Toxic) |
| Packing Group | II |
| Toxicity | Carcinogenic, neurotoxic, reproductive toxic, and mutagenic effects on humans and animals. |
Acrylamide Synthesis Methods
The industrial process of hydrolyzing acrylonitrile is the primary means of producing acrylic amide. The process involves the reaction of acrylonitrile with water and a catalyst such as sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid.
In the industrial synthesis of acrylic amide, the process involves mixing acrylic amide and acrylic acid, which workers then separate and purify through distillation. This method produces acrylic amide in large quantities.
Another method of producing acrylic amide is through the direct oxidation of propylene. This method involves oxidizing propylene to produce acrolein, and then further oxidizing it to obtain acrylic amide. Researchers mainly use this less common approach to generate small amounts of acrylic amide for research purposes.
Acrylamide Uses
Acrylic amide has various uses across different industries. Here are some of its common applications:
- Production of polyacrylic amide: Manufacturers start the production of polyacrylic amide by using acrylic amide as the starting material. Polyacrylic amide finds wide usage in the manufacturing of water treatment chemicals, papermaking, and oil drilling.
- Industrial and laboratory chemicals: Various industrial and laboratory chemicals such as dyes, adhesives, and plastics utilize acrylic amide as a raw material in their production.
- Food processing: Acrylic amide is a byproduct of certain high-temperature cooking processes such as frying, baking, and roasting. The food industry utilizes it for imparting color and crispness to products like potato chips and crackers.
- Biomedical research: Biomedical researchers use acrylic amide for protein analysis and synthesis of bioconjugates.
- DNA sequencing: In DNA sequencing gel electrophoresis, scientists use acrylic amide to separate and analyze DNA fragments according to their size.
Questions:
Q: Which of the following is likely to contain the most acrylamide?
A: Foods that are fried or roasted at high temperatures are likely to contain the most acrylic amide.
Q: Does organic coffee have acrylamide?
A: Yes, organic coffee can contain acrylic amide, just like conventionally grown coffee.
Q: What is acrylamide?
A: Acrylic amide is a chemical compound that can form in certain foods when they are cooked at high temperatures.
Q: Which of the following would expose you to the most acrylamide?
A: Consuming fried or roasted foods, particularly those that are darkly colored or crispy, would expose you to the most acrylic amide.
Q: How much acrylamide is in coffee?
A: The amount of acrylic amide in coffee can vary depending on the type of coffee and how it is brewed, but it generally ranges from 5 to 30 micrograms per serving.
Q: How to prepare acrylamide bisacrylamide solution?
A: Acrylic amide bisacrylic amide solution is typically prepared by dissolving acrylic amide and bisacrylic amide in water with a buffer and a cross-linking agent.
Q: Are businesses required to provide samples of food for acrylamide sampling?
A: Depending on the jurisdiction, businesses may be required to provide samples of certain foods for acrylic amide testing in order to ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
Q: What is the polymerization of acrylamide?
A: Polymerization of acrylic amide involves the linking together of acrylic amide molecules to form long chains, which can be used to create various types of polymers such as polyacrylic amide.