Acetonitrile is a colorless, volatile liquid with a sweet odor, commonly used as a solvent in laboratories and industrial processes. Its chemical formula is C2H3N, and it is the simplest organic nitrile. Acetonitrile is highly polar, making it effective for dissolving a wide range of organic compounds. In addition to its use as a solvent, acetonitrile is also employed in the production of pharmaceuticals and as a reagent in chemical synthesis. It is important in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) due to its ability to enhance the separation of compounds. However, it should be handled with care, as it is toxic and flammable.