Allyl cyanide

Allyl cyanide is an organic compound with the formula CH₂CHCH₂CN. Like other small alkyl nitriles, allyl cyanide is soluble in organic solvents. Allyl cyanide occurs naturally as an antifeedant and is used as a cross-linking agent in some polymers. Allyl cyanide was discovered in 1863 by H. Will and W. Koerner in 1863, they found the compound to be present in mustard oil. The first successful synthesis of allyl cyanide was done by A. Claus in 1864. Recent studies show that allyl cyanide may be used as an additive in propylene carbonate-based electrolytes for graphite anodes preventing exfoliation of the anode by film-forming. The underlying mechanism is thought to be a reductive polymerization mechanism.