3-Chloropropionitrile is an organic compound with the formula ClCH2CH2CN. A colorless liquid, it is prepared by the reaction of hydrogen chloride with acrylonitrile. It is used commercially as a precursor to the drug famotidine. It is an alkylating agent, as illustrated by its reaction with imidazoles to give the cyanoethylated imidazolium salts. Similarly, it alkylates thiourea, en route to 3-mercaptopropionitrile.
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