Overview

Cyanoacrylate (sye-AN-oh-ACL-ri-late) is a general term used to describe a family of esters derived in the reaction between cyanoacrylic acid and various alcohols, such as methanol (methyl-2-cyanoacrylate) and ethanol (ethyl-2cyanoacrylate). Cyanoacrylates are all esters of cyanoacrylic acid, CH₂=C(CN)COOH, and include methyl-2-cyanoacrylate, ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate, and 2-octyl cyanoacrylate. The material is the primary ingredient in Super Glue™, Krazy Glue™, Duro™, Quick Gel™, and a number of other products used to glue two surfaces together with a very strong bond in a matter of seconds. The bonding activity of the cyanoacrylates occurs when the esters react with water to form polymers that bond to materials with which they come into contact. The polymerization reaction occurs very quickly, resulting in strong bonds that form almost instantaneously.

Key Facts

Other Names:

See Overview; data below are for the methyl ester.

Formula:

CH₂=C(CN)COOCH₃

Elements: