Nitriles are also known as cyanides and exhibit the functional group -C≡N. They are named by adding -nitrile to the parent hydrocarbon
CH3CN –> Ethanenitrile
Physical Properties
- Because of the strong dipole -dipole interaction between the C≡N the smallest nitriles are liquids with pleasant odours.
- They are fairly soluble in water and very soluble in organic compounds
Main Reactions
Acid Hydrolysis
Conditions: Boil under Reflux
Base Hydrolysis
Conditions: Boil under Reflux
Reduction
(for a more detailed description visit the chemguide.co.uk site)
Use Lithium aluminium hydride in Dry Ether then add Dilute HCl
