Definition of nitriles

1. Compounds having the structure RCN; thus C-substituted derivatives of hydrocyanic acid, HCN. NOC Rule C-831. In systematic nomenclature, the suffix nitrile denotes the triply bound N atom, not the carbon atom attached to it. NOC Rule C-832.1. GNOC Recom. R-5.7.9.1. See also, carbonitriles, cyanides, isocyanides