1. Overview of 4-Chlorobenzyl Cyanide

4-Chlorobenzyl Cyanide (CAS 140-53-4), is an important halogenated aromatic nitrile compound, widely used as a key intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and fine chemicals.

SNOWHITE CHEMICAL CO., LTD supplies bulk industrial grade and Pharmaceutical Intermediate products, with mature nucleophilic substitution synthesis technology, strict isomer separation and toxic impurity control, suitable for industrial production and pharmaceutical R&D applications.

Our products are widely used as an intermediate in API synthesis, pyrethroid insecticide manufacturing, dye synthesis and specialty chemical processing worldwide, with stable batch consistency and reliable quality.

Basic Chemical Information：

Chemical Name: 4-Chlorobenzyl Cyanide

Molecular Formula: C₈H₆ClN

Molecular Weight: 151.59 g/mol

CAS No.: 140-53-4

EINECS No.: 205-418-9

HS Code: 29269090

Appearance: Colorless to pale  yellow solid at room temperature, transparent liquid when melted

1.1 Physicochemical Properties

Melting Point: 25~28℃ (lit.)

Boiling Point: 265~267℃ (atmospheric pressure, lit.)

Solubility: Slightly soluble in water; soluble in acetone, ether, chloroform and other organic solvents

Stability: Stable under normal sealed conditions, avoid strong oxidizing agents, strong acids and strong alkalis to prevent hydrolysis and decomposition; keep away from open flames and high temperatures, as it may release toxic gases when heated

1.2 Functional Performance and Mechanism

The industrial application value of 4-Chlorobenzyl Cyanide comes from the synergistic effect of the benzyl cyanide group (-CH₂CN) and the para-chloro substituent on the benzene ring, which is the core difference from other isomers:

The benzyl cyanide group has high reactivity in cyclization, hydrolysis and reduction reactions, which can efficiently construct heterocyclic structures and amino acid derivatives required for pharmaceutical and agrochemical production, with high conversion rate and few by-products.

The para-chloro substituent on the benzene ring has a moderate electron-withdrawing effect and appropriate steric hindrance, which can precisely regulate the regioselectivity of downstream nucleophilic substitution reactions, and is the core structural guarantee for the biological activity of downstream drugs and pesticides.

1.2.1 Practical Application Significance

The unique para-substituted benzyl cyanide structure of this product brings exclusive application advantages in industrial production:

Pharmaceutical field: It is the core intermediate for the synthesis of antidepressant drugs (such as citalopram hydrobromide and escitalopram), antimalarial drugs (such as pyrimethamine) and antihistamines, and the para-chlorophenyl structure can enhance the efficacy and bioavailability of drugs.

Agrochemical field: It is an important intermediate for the synthesis of high-efficiency pyrethroid insecticides (such as fenvalerate and bromopropylate), which can improve the insecticidal activity and selectivity of pesticides, ensuring crop safety and high production yield.

Dye and fine chemical field: It is used as a building block for the synthesis of functional dyes, fluorescent brighteners and aromatic derivatives, which can enhance the light fastness and stability of dyes, and is compatible with existing large-scale fine chemical production lines.

2. Pharmaceutical Intermediate 

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2.1 Product Overview

With strict control of isomers, residual solvents and toxic impurities, compliant with ICH Q7 requirements for pharmaceutical intermediates, widely used as a key intermediate for API synthesis. SNOWHITE CHEMICAL CO., LTD can provide customized quality standards and complete quality research documents according to your synthetic route.

2.2 Typical Applications

Mainly used in the synthesis of core intermediates for antidepressant, antimalarial and antihistamine drugs, directly participating in the construction of drug pharmacophores, with strict batch-to-batch consistency to ensure the safety and stability of final APIs; also used in medicinal chemistry research to optimize drug molecular structures.

3. Industrial Grade

3.1 Product Overview

Used for large-scale synthesis of agrochemicals, dyes and specialty chemicals, focusing on production yield, cost control and stable bulk supply capacity, with mature production technology to meet the needs of conventional industrial production.

3.2 Typical Applications

Widely used as a core building block for the industrial production of pyrethroid insecticides, ensuring high insecticidal activity and production yield; also used in the synthesis of 4-chlorobenzyl alcohol, 4-chlorobenzaldehyde and other fine chemical intermediates, and in the production of functional dyes and fluorescent brighteners to improve product performance.

4. Industrial Synthesis Processes

Industrial production of 4-Chlorobenzyl Cyanide by SNOWHITE CHEMICAL CO., LTD mainly adopts the nucleophilic substitution reaction process of 4-chlorobenzyl chloride and sodium cyanide, with phase transfer catalyst added, the reaction is carried out at 85~104℃, and the reaction process is tracked by GC to control the reaction degree. The technology is mature, with stable isomer control, high conversion rate and good batch consistency.

5. Quality Control and Testing

SNOWHITE CHEMICAL CO., LTD has established a strict graded quality control system, with isomer separation and detection as the core control procedure for Pharmaceutical Intermediate, to ensure that the product quality meets the requirements of different application scenarios.

Main Testing Items & Standards:

Assay: Industrial Grade ≥98.5%, Pharmaceutical Intermediate ≥99.0% (determined by GC)

Melting Point: 25~28℃ (capillary method)

Related Substances: Strict separation and quantitative control of o-chlorobenzyl cyanide, 4-chlorobenzyl chloride and other impurities (determined by HPLC)

Moisture: Determined by Karl Fischer method

6. Quality

7. Packaging, Storage and Safety Information

7.1 Packaging

Standard: 1kg/5kg/25kg drums; 200kg full plastic drums or iron drums; customizable on request

7.2 Storage

Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse below 30°C, keep containers tightly sealed; store separately from incompatible materials such as strong oxidants, strong acids, strong alkalis and food, avoid direct sunlight and open flames, and store in accordance with the regulations for highly toxic dangerous goods.

7.3 Safety Information

4-Chlorobenzyl Cyanide is a Class 6.1 toxic substance, which is highly toxic, irritating to skin, eyes and respiratory tract, and has a tearing effect. Appropriate personal protective equipment (face shield, gloves, goggles, gas mask) should be worn during operation. If it comes into contact with the skin, it can be rinsed with ethanol. For detailed handling instructions and emergency measures, please refer to the official SDS.

8. Supply and Technical Support

SNOWHITE CHEMICAL CO., LTD provides stable and reliable global supply of 4-Chlorobenzyl Cyanide, with core competitive strengths:

ISO 9001 certified, strict batch-to-batch quality consistency control

Mature nucleophilic substitution synthesis technology, industry-leading isomer separation and toxic impurity control capacity

Stable large-scale production capacity, fast delivery for standard bulk orders

Complete COA, SDS, TDS and full set of pharmaceutical registration documents available

Contact SNOWHITE CHEMICAL CO., LTD now to get COA, free samples and the latest quotation.

Email: shirley@snowhitechem.com

Phone: +86-25-56215758.

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