An odoriferous toxic liquid, used as a solvent in high-performance liquid chromatography.
'Parallel experiments were performed in acetonitrile and phosphate-buffered saline aqueous solutions under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions.'
'The same photoproducts were obtained when the irradiation was performed in aerated acetonitrile, although the extent of photodegradation was even lower in this solvent.'
noun, Chemistry.
1.
a colorless, poisonous, water-soluble liquid, C 2 H 3 N, having an etherlike odor: used chiefly in organic synthesis and as a solvent.