Abstract

Acrylamide (NIOSH No. A533250) has shown steady growth since the mid-1950s, but is still considered a small-volume commodity. It is by far the most important member of the series of acrylic and methacrylic amides. Water-soluble polyacrylamides have the most important applications, including as a dewatering aid for sludge in the treatment of effluent from municipal wastewater plants and in industrial processes. Acrylamide, C₃H₅NO, is a difunctional monomer containing a reactive electron-deficient double bond and an amide group. It undergoes reactions typical of those two functionalities. The current routes to acrylamide are based on the hydration of inexpensive and readily available acrylonitrile. Contact with acrylamide can be hazardous and should be avoided.