Acrylamide (CAS 79-06-1) — High-Purity Chemical & Industrial Applications

Acrylamide (AM) is an organic compound with the molecular formula C₃H₅NO and molecular weight 71.08 g/mol. Also known as 2-propenamide, prop-2-enamide, propenamide, or acrylamide monomer, it is typically supplied as a white crystalline solid or powder.

Acrylamide contains both a highly reactive carbon-carbon double bond and an amide functional group, giving it excellent polymerization and chemical modification properties. It is an important monomer and chemical intermediate used in the manufacture of polyacrylamide and other water-soluble polymers, with applications spanning water treatment, mineral processing, oilfield chemicals, paper manufacturing, textiles, civil engineering, and chemical synthesis.

Safety: Acrylamide is a hazardous/toxic chemical and must be handled, stored, transported, and disposed of in accordance with applicable safety regulations and the supplier's Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

Key Chemical Properties

Acrylamide is readily soluble in water and soluble in several organic solvents, including ethanol and acetone. It is relatively stable under appropriate storage conditions but can undergo rapid polymerization when exposed to elevated temperatures, ultraviolet radiation, or suitable initiators/catalysts.

Its reactive vinyl group enables addition reactions and polymerization, while the amide group participates in hydrolysis and other characteristic amide reactions. These properties make acrylamide particularly valuable as a building block for polyacrylamide, copolymers, crosslinked polymers, and specialty chemical materials.

Typical Product Specifications

Physical-property values should be confirmed against the current product specification and SDS before technical or regulatory use.

Chemical Reactivity

The molecular structure of acrylamide provides two principal reactive sites: the vinyl double bond and the amide group.

Polymerization and Copolymerization

The carbon-carbon double bond readily participates in free-radical polymerization. Acrylamide can therefore be polymerized to produce polyacrylamide (PAM) and copolymerized with a variety of vinyl monomers, including acrylates, styrene, vinyl compounds, and acrylonitrile.

Depending on polymer architecture and formulation, acrylamide-based polymers can provide valuable properties such as:

• High water solubility

• Flocculation and coagulation assistance

• Thickening and viscosity modification

• Dispersion control

• Shear resistance

• Friction reduction

• Water retention

• Binding and adhesion

• Film-forming and crosslinking capabilities

Addition Reactions

The activated double bond can undergo addition reactions with hydroxyl compounds, amines, sulfur-containing inorganic compounds, hydrogen halides, and other suitable reagents. Depending on the reactant and reaction conditions, acrylamide can form various addition products, including mono- and bis-adducts and quaternary ammonium derivatives.

The vinyl group can also undergo catalytic reduction, while oxidative reactions can provide oxygenated derivatives.

Reactions of the Amide Group

The amide functionality can participate in conventional amide chemistry, including acid- or base-catalyzed hydrolysis. Under appropriate dehydrating conditions, acrylamide can be converted toward acrylonitrile. Reaction with formaldehyde can produce N-methylol acrylamide, an important intermediate for certain resin and crosslinking systems.

Major Applications of Acrylamide

1. Polyacrylamide Manufacturing

The largest and most important application of acrylamide is as a monomer for producing polyacrylamide (PAM) and related water-soluble polymers. Polyacrylamide is widely used for water clarification, flocculation, viscosity modification, friction reduction, and solid-liquid separation.

2. Water and Wastewater Treatment

Acrylamide-derived polymers are used in the production of flocculants for:

• Municipal and industrial wastewater treatment

• Sludge dewatering

• Mineral processing

• Coal washing

• Solid-liquid separation

• Drilling-fluid treatment

• Process-water clarification

Polyacrylamide can promote the aggregation of suspended particles, improving sedimentation, clarification, and filtration performance.

3. Mining and Mineral Processing

Acrylamide-based flocculants are used in mineral beneficiation, ore processing, coal preparation, and tailings treatment. Their ability to promote particle aggregation can improve solid-liquid separation and process efficiency.

4. Oilfield and Drilling Applications

Polyacrylamide produced from acrylamide is used in oilfield chemicals and drilling-fluid formulations. Depending on the polymer type and formulation, applications can include drilling-fluid rheology control, friction reduction, fluid-loss management, and enhanced oil recovery systems.

5. Civil Engineering and Chemical Grouting

Acrylamide-based polymer systems have been used in specialized chemical grouting applications, including water shutoff, soil stabilization, tunnel construction, underground engineering, mine sealing, and dam-related seepage control. Application must comply with relevant environmental, occupational, and construction regulations.

6. Soil Conditioning

Polyacrylamide and related polymers can be used as soil conditioners to improve soil structure, water infiltration, moisture retention, and erosion-control performance in appropriate agricultural and environmental applications.

7. Paper Manufacturing

Acrylamide-derived polymers can function as paper-strength additives, retention aids, binders, and process chemicals. They can help improve paper strength and processing characteristics and may reduce reliance on certain conventional additives.

8. Textile and Fiber Applications

Acrylamide-based polymers can be used as fiber modifiers, sizing agents, binders, and finishing chemicals, helping modify the physical and processing characteristics of synthetic fibers and textile materials.

9. Adhesives, Resins, and Coatings

Acrylamide participates in the preparation of polymeric materials used in adhesives, coatings, resins, binders, and crosslinked polymer systems. It can be incorporated into vinyl-polymer systems to modify adhesion, solvent resistance, softening behavior, and other material properties.

10. Chemical Synthesis and Specialty Materials

Because of its reactive vinyl and amide functionalities, acrylamide serves as a versatile organic synthesis intermediate for the preparation of specialty chemicals, functional polymers, crosslinkers, and other acrylamide derivatives.

Advantages of Acrylamide as a Polymer Monomer

Acrylamide is widely selected for polymer synthesis because it combines a highly reactive vinyl group with a polar amide functionality. This structure enables the production of polymers with desirable hydrophilicity, water solubility, viscosity modification, flocculation, binding, dispersion, and film-forming characteristics.

Its compatibility with copolymerization also allows manufacturers to tailor polymer performance for specific industrial requirements.

Storage and Handling

Acrylamide should be handled only by trained personnel using appropriate engineering controls and personal protective equipment. Store the material in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location, protected from incompatible materials and conditions that could promote polymerization.

Avoid unnecessary exposure to heat, ultraviolet radiation, and contamination. Always consult the manufacturer's SDS, certificate of analysis (COA), technical data sheet (TDS), and applicable regulatory requirements for detailed handling, storage, transportation, and disposal information.

Acrylamide (CAS 79-06-1) is a versatile, highly reactive vinyl amide monomer and an important raw material for the production of polyacrylamide and functional copolymers. Its excellent polymerization characteristics and ability to generate water-soluble, functional polymer systems make it valuable across water treatment, mining, oilfield services, civil engineering, paper production, textiles, adhesives, coatings, soil conditioning, and specialty chemical synthesis.

For commercial procurement, customers should verify the required grade, purity, physical form, packaging, inhibitor/stabilizer system, storage requirements, COA, SDS, and regulatory status with the supplier before purchase.