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3-Cyanopyridine
CAS: 100-54-9 | Formula: C₆H₄N₂ | MW: 104.11 g/mol
This is a heterocyclic aromatic nitrile — a pyridine ring bearing a cyano group at the 3-position. It serves as a versatile multi-directional building block across pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and nutrition.
Primary Uses:
Vitamin B3 production — direct precursor to niacin and nicotinamide via nitrile hydrolysis
Pharmaceuticals — building block for varenicline (smoking cessation), nicotinyl alcohol, and anti-cancer agents
Agrochemicals — key intermediate for pymetrozine insecticide and 2-chloronicotinic acid (neonicotinoid precursor)
Selling Points:
Multi-sector demand anchor — serves pharma, agro, nutrition, and cosmetics simultaneously, ensuring resilient demand
Highly versatile reactivity — nitrile group enables hydrolysis, reduction, Grignard addition, and cycloaddition reactions
Mature scalable production — vapor-phase ammoxidation of 3-methylpyridine at multi-thousand-ton scale
Concentrated reliable supply — top 3 producers (Vertellus, Jubilant, Lasons) control ~80% of global supply
Growing market — ~$582M in 2025, projected to reach ~$828M by 2031 (5.5% CAGR)
Specifications of 3-Cyanopyridine CAS 100-54-9 COA:
Items | Specifications | Results |
Appearance | White to pale yellow solid | White solid |
Assay, w/% | ≥ 99.0 | 99.90 |
Initial melting point, °C | ≥ 48.5 | 49.8 |
Loss on drying / Moisture, w/% | ≤ 0.20 | 0.04 |
Storage Conditions | Store in a ventilated and dry environment,away from direct sunlight and avoid impact. | |
Conclusion | The product conforms to the above specifications. | |

CAS:100-54-9
MF:C6H4N2
Melting point :48-52 °C(lit.)
form:powder
color:White to pale yellow
Uses:
3-Cyanopyridine
Also known as nicotinonitrile or 3-pyridinecarbonitrile, this is a heterocyclic aromatic nitrile — a pyridine ring bearing a cyano group (–C≡N) at the 3-position. It is one of the most important pyridine-based building blocks in industrial organic chemistry, serving as the direct precursor to Vitamin B3 (niacin/nicotinamide) and a wide range of pharmaceutical and agrochemical products.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 100-54-9 |
| Molecular Formula | C₆H₄N₂ |
| Molecular Weight | 104.11 g/mol |
| Melting Point | 48–52 °C |
| Boiling Point | ~201 °C (sublimes) |
| Density | 1.159 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | 84 °C |
| Water Solubility | 140 g/L (20 °C) |
| pKa | 1.45 (25 °C) |
| LogP | 0.50 |
| SMILES | N#Cc1cccnc1 |
| EINECS | 202-863-0 |
| HS Code | 29333999 |
Structural Breakdown
The molecule consists of two key features:
Pyridine ring: A six-membered aromatic heterocycle containing one nitrogen atom. This electron-deficient ring governs the compound's solubility, coordination chemistry, and reactivity toward nucleophiles.
Nitrile group (–C≡N) at the 3-position: A strongly electron-withdrawing, highly versatile functional group. It can be hydrolyzed to carboxylic acids or amides, reduced to aminomethyl groups, or participate in cycloaddition reactions — making this compound a multi-directional synthetic platform.
Primary Uses
1. Vitamin B3 Production (Niacin & Nicotinamide)
The single largest application of 3-cyanopyridine is as the direct precursor to nicotinic acid (niacin) and nicotinamide (niacinamide) — collectively known as Vitamin B3. The nitrile group is hydrolyzed under acidic or basic conditions:
3-Cyanopyridine → (hydrolysis) → Nicotinic acid (niacin)
3-Cyanopyridine → (partial hydrolysis) → Nicotinamide
Vitamin B3 is an essential nutrient used in:
Pharmaceuticals — treating pellagra, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular conditions
Dietary supplements & nutraceuticals — one of the most widely consumed vitamins globally
Food & feed additives — mandatory fortification in many countries
Cosmetics — nicotinamide is a top skincare active ingredient (anti-aging, barrier repair, brightening)
2. Pharmaceutical Intermediates
Beyond Vitamin B3, 3-cyanopyridine is a building block for numerous APIs:
Nicotinyl alcohol (nicotinic acid alcohol ester) — a peripheral vasodilator used to treat vascular disorders
Varenicline (Chantix/Champix) — a smoking-cessation drug that acts as a partial agonist at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents — the pyridine-nitrile scaffold is incorporated into molecules targeting hypertension, oncology, and neurology
Antibiotics and cardiovascular drugs — the compound's reactivity enables construction of complex heterocyclic drug architectures
3. Agrochemical Intermediates
3-Cyanopyridine is a critical precursor for several crop protection products:
Pymetrozine — a selective insecticide controlling sucking pests (aphids, planthoppers) via a unique "stop-feed" mechanism
2-Chloronicotinic acid — a key building block for neonicotinoid insecticides (e.g., chlorantraniliprole) and other pyridine-based agrochemicals
Rodenticides — intermediate for vacor and cyanophen, used for rodent control
4. Specialty Chemicals & Advanced Materials
Arylthiazolines and arylimidazolines — synthesized via condensation with ethylenediamine or aminoethanethiol, used in drug development
Conductive polymers — cyanopyridine derivatives are explored for OLEDs and photovoltaic cells
Corrosion inhibitors — the pyridine nitrogen coordinates to metal surfaces
Coordination chemistry — both the ring nitrogen and nitrile nitrogen serve as ligands for metal complexation, relevant in catalysis and materials science
Resins, dyes, and pigments — used as intermediate in polymer and colorant synthesis
Selling Points & Value Propositions
1. Multi-Sector Demand Anchor
Unlike single-application intermediates, 3-cyanopyridine sits at the intersection of four massive end-markets simultaneously:
| Sector | Key Products |
|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | Vitamin B3, varenicline, nicotinyl alcohol, anti-cancer APIs |
| Nutraceuticals/Supplements | Niacin, nicotinamide tablets and capsules |
| Agrochemicals | Pymetrozine, 2-chloronicotinic acid, rodenticides |
| Food/Feed/Cosmetics | Feed-grade niacinamide, cosmetic-grade nicotinamide |
This diversification means demand is resilient — a downturn in one sector (e.g., agrochemicals) is cushioned by stability or growth in others (e.g., vitamins/supplements).
2. Highly Versatile Chemical Reactivity
The nitrile group on the pyridine ring is one of the most chemically transformable functional groups in organic synthesis:
Hydrolysis → nicotinic acid, nicotinamide (Vitamin B3)
Reduction → 3-aminomethylpyridine (used in further drug synthesis)
Grignard addition → pyridyl ketones
Cycloaddition → fused heterocycles (thiazolines, imidazolines)
Coordination → metal-ligand complexes for catalysis
This makes 3-cyanopyridine a platform molecule — a single intermediate that branches into dozens of downstream products, reducing the need for manufacturers to stock multiple starting materials.
3. Mature, Scalable Industrial Production
The dominant industrial route is vapor-phase ammoxidation of 3-methylpyridine:
3-Methylpyridine + NH₃ + Air → (V₂O₅ catalyst, 200–300 °C) → 3-Cyanopyridine + H₂O
This process is:
Well-established at multi-thousand-ton scale
Continuous-process compatible — ideal for modern flow chemistry manufacturing
Cost-efficient — uses inexpensive, commodity feedstocks (3-methylpyridine, ammonia, air)
Amenable to catalyst optimization — ongoing R&D in Cu/Na-loaded Al₂O₃ and other catalysts continues to improve yield and selectivity
Alternative routes (e.g., dehydration of nicotinamide with P₂O₅) exist for smaller-scale or specialty-grade production.
4. Concentrated Supply Base with Reliable Availability
The global market is highly concentrated, with the top 3 producers controlling ~80% of supply:
| Rank | Company | Region |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vertellus Specialties (incl. Nantong facilities) | USA/China |
| 2 | Jubilant Life Sciences | India |
| 3 | Lasons India / Shandong Hongda Group | India/China |
Other significant players include Yuki Gosei Kogyo (Japan), Lonza Guangzhou (China), Nanjing Guangtong Pharmachemical, Nantong Acetic Acid Chemical, and Hebei Yanuo.
This concentration means:
Supply is predictable — buyers can establish long-term contracts with a small number of reliable partners
Quality consistency is high — major producers maintain ISO certifications and provide full CoAs
China accounts for ~40% of global demand, with India at ~29%, ensuring strong Asia-Pacific supply infrastructure
5. Strong and Growing Global Market
The 3-cyanopyridine market is projected for steady, sustained growth:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| 2024 Market Size | ~$540 million |
| 2025 Market Size | ~$582 million |
| 2031 Forecast | ~$800–828 million |
| CAGR (2025–2031) | 5.2–5.5% |
Key growth drivers:
Rising Vitamin B3 demand — expanding nutraceutical and supplement markets globally
Pharmaceutical pipeline expansion — new drug candidates incorporating pyridine-nitrile scaffolds
Agrochemical demand in developing regions — Asia, Africa, and Latin America driving crop protection needs
Cosmetic-grade nicotinamide boom — skincare applications growing at double-digit rates
China market growing at ~4.8% annually
6. Favorable Physicochemical Profile for Handling & Formulation
Solid at room temperature (MP 48–52 °C) — easier to handle, weigh, and transport than liquid intermediates
Good water solubility (140 g/L) — simplifies aqueous-phase reactions and workup
Soluble in common organic solvents (ethanol, ether, chloroform, benzene) — compatible with diverse reaction media
Thermally stable — sublimes without decomposition, suitable for high-temperature processes
Stable under normal storage — sealed at room temperature under inert atmosphere
7. Safety Profile Manageable with Standard PPE
GHS Classification: Acute Tox. 4 (oral), Eye Dam. 1, Skin Irrit. 2
Oral LD₅₀ (rat): 1,185 mg/kg — moderately toxic, but not acutely dangerous with proper handling
NIOSH IDLH: 25 mg/m³ — requires respiratory protection in industrial settings
Not classified as carcinogenic or mutagenic
Standard precautions (gloves, goggles, fume hood) are sufficient for safe handling
Summary
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Identity | Heterocyclic aromatic nitrile — pyridine-3-carbonitrile (CAS 100-54-9) |
| Primary uses | Vitamin B3 (niacin/nicotinamide) production; pymetrozine insecticide; varenicline; 2-chloronicotinic acid; rodenticides |
| Key selling points | Multi-sector demand (pharma, agro, nutrition, cosmetics); highly versatile nitrile reactivity; mature scalable production; concentrated reliable supply; $582M market growing at 5.5% CAGR |
| Purity available | ≥98% (GC), ≥99% for pharmaceutical grade |
| Market leaders | Vertellus, Jubilant Life Sciences, Lasons India (~80% combined share) |
| Dominant region | Asia-Pacific (~47% of global market) |






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Name:Wuhan Fortuna Chemical Co.,Ltd
Category:Others
Trade Category: Trading Company
Employees: 11 - 50 People
Address: Room 2015, No.2 Building, Kaixin Mansion No.107
Company Information: Wuhan Fortuna Chemical Co.,Ltd established in 2006, is a big integrative chemical enterprise being engaged in Pharmaceutical and Intermediates, Food and Feed additives, Fine chemicals,Biochemical and Reagent, which is the members of Hubei E-commerce Chamber.
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Wuhan Fortuna Chemical Co.,Ltd is a professional manufacturer which provide 3-Cyanopyridine with good quality and best price, welcome to contact us to get COA/TDS/MSDS of 3-Cyanopyridine.
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