Formula C12H19NO2 | Appearance Colorless liquid | |
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Octyl cyanoacrylate (OCA), a cyanoacrylate ester, is an octyl ester of 2-cyano-2-propenoic acid. It is a clear colorless liquid with a sharp, irritating odor. Its chief use is as the main component of medical cyanoacrylate glues.
In medical and veterinary applications, octyl cyanoacrylate, n-butyl cyanoacrylate and isobutyl cyanoacrylate are commonly used. They provide rapid wound closure, are bacteriostatic, and their use is usually painless. Butyl esters provide a stronger bond, but the glue is rigid. The octyl ester, while providing weaker bond, is more flexible. Blends of octyl cyanoacrylate and n-butyl cyanoacrylate are available which offer both flexibility and a strong bond.
It polymerizes rapidly in presence of moisture.
Heating to higher temperatures causes pyrolysis and depolymerization of the cured glue, producing gaseous products strongly irritating to lungs and eyes.