What is a nitrile and how is it formed?

A nitrile is a compound containing a cyano group (-C≡N) and is formed through a substitution reaction.

Nitriles are organic compounds that contain a cyano group (-C≡N). They are also known as cyanides, although this term is often reserved for inorganic compounds. Nitriles are widely used in the chemical industry as solvents, intermediates in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, and as monomers for the production of polymers.

Nitriles are formed through a substitution reaction, in which a halogen atom on an alkane is replaced by a cyano group. This reaction is typically carried out using a nucleophile, such as sodium cyanide, in the presence of a catalyst, such as copper(I) cyanide. The resulting product is a nitrile, which can be purified and used for further reactions.

Nitriles can also be formed through the oxidation of primary amines using a variety of reagents, such as potassium permanganate or sodium hypochlorite. This reaction results in the formation of an imine intermediate, which can be hydrolysed to form the corresponding nitrile.

In summary, nitriles are organic compounds containing a cyano group (-C≡N) and are formed through substitution or oxidation reactions. They have a wide range of applications in industry and are important intermediates in the synthesis of many useful compounds.