Category:Nitrile

Ni"trile ( or ), n. Etym: [see nitro-.] (chem.)

Defn: any one of a series of cyanogen compounds; particularly, one of Those cyanides of alcohol radicals which, by boiling with acids or Alkalies, produce a carboxyl acid, with the elimination of the Nitrogen as ammonia.

Note: the nitriles are named with reference to the acids produced by Their decomposition, thus, hydrocyanic acid is formic nitrile, and Methyl cyanide is acetic nitrile.