Steric Hinderance and Radical Stability Toxicity of Nitriles

9 Steric Hinderance and Radical Stability Toxicity of Nitriles 

Nitriles are a class of chemicals widely used for a variety of applieations including as a solvent, in medicines and in other industrial application. Nitriles oecur naturally in both plants and animals and are also synthesized. Their ubiquitous nature and volume of use mean that the number of individual potentially exposed to nitriles is significant, therefore evaluating and redueing the risk associated with exposure to this class of compounds is warranted. All nitriles eontain the cyano functional group (CN). The toxicity of nitriles is similar to the toxicity of cyanide intoxication implying that that the cyanide moiety from the molecule is the ultimate toxicant. 

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