Acetonitrile is a clear, colorless, and volatile liquid with the chemical formula CH₃CN. It is the simplest organic nitrile and is widely used as a polar aprotic solvent in organic synthesis and chromatography. Acetonitrile is highly miscible with water and many organic solvents, making it ideal for use in pharmaceutical manufacturing, biotechnology, and analytical laboratories, especially in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). It is also used in the production of pesticides, perfumes, and batteries. Due to its flammability and toxicity, it must be handled with appropriate safety precautions.