Benzonitrile Manufacturer: Properties, Industrial Applications and How to Choose the Right Supplier

In specialty chemicals, selecting the right raw material is only one part of a successful manufacturing process. Consistent quality, reliable documentation, safe handling, and dependable supply all influence the performance of downstream operations. This is especially relevant when sourcing benzonitrile, an aromatic organic compound used as a chemical intermediate and specialty solvent.

For businesses evaluating a benzonitrile manufacturer, understanding the chemical’s properties, industrial applications, quality specifications, and supplier capabilities can help make procurement decisions more informed.

At Shree Ganesh Chemicals, we recognise the importance of informed chemical sourcing. This guide explores what buyers should know about benzonitrile, the factors that matter when evaluating suppliers, and the questions worth asking before placing a purchase order.

What Is Benzonitrile?

Benzonitrile is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula C₇H₅N and CAS Registry Number 100-47-0. It is also known as cyanobenzene or phenyl cyanide.

Structurally, the molecule contains a benzene ring attached to a nitrile functional group (–C≡N). This combination gives the compound characteristics that make it useful in organic synthesis and selected industrial applications.

Benzonitrile is generally described as a clear, colourless liquid with a characteristic odour. Its physical and chemical properties influence its suitability for particular processes, making specification review essential before procurement.

For technical identification, buyers can refer to the PubChem benzonitrile record, which provides chemical identifiers, properties, and associated safety information.

Why Is Benzonitrile Important in the Chemical Industry?

The value of benzonitrile lies in its role as a functional chemical building block. Its aromatic structure and nitrile group provide a useful starting point for chemical transformations, allowing it to serve as an intermediate in the preparation of other compounds.

For industrial buyers, this means that suitability depends on more than the product name. The intended reaction, required purity, impurity profile, and compatibility with the process all need to be considered.

A procurement team working with a benzonitrile manufacturer should therefore evaluate the product against its actual application rather than assume that every grade or batch will meet the same requirements.

1. Pharmaceutical and fine chemical synthesis

Benzonitrile is used as a starting material or intermediate in organic synthesis. Depending on the reaction pathway, aromatic nitriles can be converted into other functional compounds that serve as building blocks for more complex molecules.

Its suitability for a particular pharmaceutical or fine chemical process must be established through route-specific technical assessment. Buyers should confirm applicable specifications, impurity controls, and any regulatory documentation required for their intended use.

2. Agrochemical intermediates

The synthesis of agrochemical compounds often relies on functional organic intermediates. Benzonitrile may be relevant to selected synthetic pathways, depending on the target molecule and process chemistry.

Manufacturers should assess the compound’s compatibility with their reaction conditions and verify that incoming material meets their internal acceptance criteria. A chemical’s potential application does not automatically establish suitability for every agrochemical formulation or production route.

3. Dyes, specialty chemicals and related applications

Aromatic nitriles are useful in the wider specialty chemicals sector because their functional groups allow further chemical modification. Benzonitrile has documented uses as an intermediate in selected chemical manufacturing processes.

Application suitability should be confirmed for the specific product and end use. Buyers should request relevant technical information rather than rely solely on a broad application list.

4. Specialty solvent applications

Benzonitrile has also been used as a specialty solvent in selected industrial and laboratory applications. Solvent selection requires consideration of solvency, process compatibility, recovery requirements, worker exposure controls, and applicable safety procedures.

Before adoption, process engineers should review the available technical data and determine whether the compound meets operational and safety requirements.

Key Physical and Chemical Properties of Benzonitrile

Understanding the basic properties of benzonitrile helps technical teams assess its suitability for their intended applications.

Property	Information
Chemical name	Benzonitrile
Molecular formula	C₇H₅N
CAS Registry Number	100-47-0
Molecular weight	Approximately 103.12 g/mol
Common synonyms	Cyanobenzene, phenyl cyanide
Appearance	Typically a clear, colourless liquid
Water solubility	Slightly soluble
Main industrial role	Chemical intermediate and specialty solvent

Reference: PubChem, Benzonitrile, https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7505.

These are general identification details, not a product specification. Actual acceptance limits for purity, moisture, impurities, appearance, and other parameters should be taken from the supplier’s current technical data sheet and certificate of analysis, where applicable.

For technical buyers, the distinction is important: a published reference value describes a chemical, while a purchase specification defines the quality requirements for the material being supplied.

What Should Buyers Check Before Selecting a Benzonitrile Manufacturer?

Choosing a supplier is a technical and commercial decision. A competitive quotation is useful, but it should not replace verification of product suitability, documentation, and supply arrangements.

1. Product specifications and batch consistency

Start by defining the requirements for the intended process. Depending on the application, these may include purity, specified impurities, moisture content, appearance, and analytical test methods.

Ask whether the supplier can provide a current technical data sheet and a batch-specific certificate of analysis. Confirm how results are measured, which acceptance limits apply, and what happens if a delivered batch falls outside the agreed specification.

2. Technical documentation and traceability

Reliable procurement depends on documentation that allows buyers to identify, evaluate, and trace the material received.

Relevant documents may include:

• Technical data sheet (TDS).
• Safety data sheet (SDS).
• Certificate of analysis (CoA), where applicable.
• Batch or lot identification and traceability information.
• Packaging, storage, and transport details.
• Applicable quality or regulatory declarations, where required.

Availability and applicability should be confirmed with the supplier rather than assumed.

3. Packaging, storage and transportation

Packaging should be appropriate for the chemical’s properties, the quantity supplied, and the conditions expected during transport and storage.

Benzonitrile requires suitable chemical handling controls. Buyers should review the current SDS, verify container compatibility, and establish appropriate procedures for storage, spill response, ventilation, and worker protection.

Transportation requirements must be confirmed using the applicable regulations, shipment details, and current safety documentation.

4. Supply reliability and communication

For production-oriented businesses, delivery reliability can affect scheduling, inventory planning, and manufacturing continuity.

Discuss expected lead times, minimum order quantities, order confirmation procedures, dispatch documentation, and how supply disruptions are communicated. If the material is critical to production, consider defining contingency arrangements before a disruption occurs.

5. Commercial transparency

Compare quotations on a like-for-like basis. The same product description does not necessarily mean identical quality, packaging, documentation, or delivery terms.

A clear quotation should specify the grade, agreed quality parameters, quantity, packaging, delivery terms, applicable taxes, and any additional charges. These details make supplier comparisons more meaningful.

A practical rule for procurement teams: assess chemical suitability, documented quality, safe handling, supply reliability, and total delivered cost together—not price alone.

Quality Assurance: What Does a Good Procurement Process Look Like?

A structured purchasing process helps reduce avoidable uncertainty and creates a clear record of supplier evaluation.

Consider the following example workflow:

Step 1: Define the requirement. Document the intended application, required grade, critical quality parameters, and applicable acceptance limits.

Step 2: Evaluate supplier documentation. Review the TDS and SDS, and establish whether the supplier can provide the batch-specific quality documentation required by your organisation.

Step 3: Establish acceptance criteria. Agree on testing methods, permitted limits, sample requirements, and the procedure for investigating non-conforming material.

Step 4: Verify the delivered batch. Check packaging integrity, labels, lot identification, accompanying documents, and test results against the purchase specification.

Step 5: Maintain traceability. Retain relevant purchasing, inspection, and quality records in accordance with internal procedures.

This workflow is an example of good procurement practice, not a claim that any particular supplier follows a certified quality management system. Buyers should independently verify the controls and certifications relevant to their requirements.

Chemical Safety and Responsible Handling

Product quality and worker safety are inseparable considerations in chemical procurement.

Benzonitrile can be harmful if swallowed or absorbed through the skin, and exposure may present additional risks depending on the circumstances. It is combustible, and decomposition during a fire can produce hazardous fumes. Handling should therefore be based on a documented risk assessment and the current safety data sheet.

Industrial users should establish appropriate engineering controls, ventilation, chemical-resistant protective equipment, spill management procedures, and emergency arrangements. Personnel should receive training relevant to their tasks.

Storage and handling procedures must account for incompatibilities, container integrity, ignition sources, and the potential for environmental release. Waste and contaminated packaging should be managed under applicable legal requirements.

For further information, consult the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards for general occupational chemical safety resources and PubChem’s benzonitrile record for substance-specific information. Always confirm the appropriate safety instructions against the current SDS and applicable local requirements.

An Illustrative Case Study: Preventing Procurement Delays Through Better Specification Control

The following is a hypothetical example for illustration, not a documented customer engagement or verified Shree Ganesh Chemicals case study.

Imagine a specialty chemical manufacturer sourcing an aromatic intermediate for a recurring production process. Its procurement team initially compares suppliers mainly on quoted price and delivery date.

During a subsequent quality review, the team identifies gaps in how specifications and supporting documents are compared. Although supplier quotations use the same chemical name, the purchasing records do not consistently establish whether the quoted material meets all the process’s critical requirements.

The team introduces a standard supplier evaluation checklist covering:

• Approved product specifications and acceptance criteria.
• Review of available batch quality documentation.
• Packaging and transport requirements.
• Lead-time confirmation and escalation procedures.
• Document retention and batch traceability.

The revised process gives procurement, quality assurance, and production teams a common basis for reviewing offers and accepting deliveries.

The key lesson is that better specification control can help prevent avoidable purchasing ambiguity. Actual savings, rejection rates, and improvements in delivery performance would need to be measured using the organisation’s own records.

Why Work With a Supplier That Understands Your Requirements?

For businesses sourcing specialty chemicals, supplier selection should begin with a clear understanding of the application and the evidence needed to demonstrate product suitability.

Shree Ganesh Chemicals can use this conversation to understand your sourcing requirements and determine whether it can support your benzonitrile enquiry. Product availability, grade, documentation, packaging, and delivery arrangements should be confirmed directly before any commitment is made.

When evaluating a prospective supplier, ask clear questions and expect equally clear answers. This creates a stronger foundation for long-term procurement relationships and helps align commercial decisions with technical requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions About Benzonitrile

What is benzonitrile mainly used for?

Benzonitrile is used as a chemical intermediate in selected organic synthesis processes and as a specialty solvent in certain applications. Its suitability depends on the intended process and the material specification.

What is the CAS number of benzonitrile?

The CAS Registry Number for benzonitrile is 100-47-0. Buyers can use this identifier to help distinguish the substance from similarly named chemicals when requesting quotations and reviewing technical documents.

How do I evaluate a benzonitrile supplier?

Review the proposed grade and specifications, request appropriate technical and safety documentation, verify batch traceability, assess packaging and delivery arrangements, and compare commercial terms. Any necessary certifications should be checked directly with the supplier.

Which documents should I request when purchasing benzonitrile?

Depending on the application and procurement requirements, request a current technical data sheet, safety data sheet, batch-specific certificate of analysis where applicable, and relevant traceability and transport information. Additional declarations may be needed for regulated or specialised uses.

How should benzonitrile be stored?

Storage should follow the current SDS, suitable container compatibility requirements, applicable regulations, and a site-specific risk assessment. Access to appropriate ventilation, spill response equipment, and trained personnel is important.

How can I request a quotation from Shree Ganesh Chemicals?

Contact Shree Ganesh Chemicals through its official enquiry channel and provide the required grade or specification, quantity, intended application, packaging preference, delivery location, and expected timeline. The company can then confirm whether it can meet the request and provide applicable commercial and technical details.

Conclusion: Make Your Next Chemical Sourcing Decision More Informed

Benzonitrile is a versatile aromatic compound whose value comes from its role in selected synthesis routes and specialty solvent applications. However, choosing the right material involves more than identifying the chemical: buyers must also consider specifications, documentation, safe handling, traceability, and supply continuity.

When assessing a benzonitrile manufacturer, use a consistent evaluation process, verify technical claims, and align purchasing requirements with your actual application.

Shree Ganesh Chemicals invites businesses with relevant chemical sourcing requirements to get in touch and discuss their needs. Share your product specification, required quantity, and delivery expectations to begin a technical and commercial conversation.

Looking for a benzonitrile supply solution? Contact Shree Ganesh Chemicals to discuss your requirements and confirm product suitability, availability, documentation, and delivery terms.