Nitrile
any chemical compound with cyano group (–C≡N)
In organic chemistry, a nitrile is any organic compound that has a −C≡N functional group. The name of the compound is composed of a base, which includes the carbon of the −C≡N, suffixed with "nitrile", so for example CH3CH2C≡N is called "propionitrile" (or propanenitrile). The prefix cyano- is used interchangeably with the term nitrile in industrial literature. Nitriles are found in many useful compounds, including methyl cyanoacrylate, used in super glue, and nitrile rubber, a nitrile-containing polymer used in latex-free laboratory and medical gloves. Nitrile rubber is also widely used as automotive and other seals since it is resistant to fuels and oils. Organic compounds containing multiple nitrile groups are known as cyanocarbons.
For the organic compounds of the form R−N+≡C− instead of R−C≡N, they are referred to as isonitriles, or isocyanides.
Inorganic compounds containing the −C≡N group are not called nitriles, but cyanides instead. Though both nitriles and cyanides can be derived from cyanide salts, most nitriles are not nearly as toxic.
Structure and basic properties
The N−C−C geometry is linear in nitriles, reflecting the sp hybridization of the triply bonded carbon.
This brief starts where responsible research should: with the source description of “Nitrile” as any chemical compound with cyano group (–C≡N). Everything that follows is an evidence route, not borrowed authority.
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The subject matters to the science & nature register because the source frames it as any chemical compound with cyano group (–C≡N). Its deeper value depends on whether names, dates, institutions and citations support that framing.
Stable identifiers, scientific names and standards terminology offer the best bridge between this overview and specialist evidence. The source revision retrieved here is dated Aug 14, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q333936. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference.
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This entry incorporates text from “Nitrile” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.