What is the Difference Between Cyanide and Nitrile?

Cyanide and nitrile are terms often used interchangeably, as both refer to a compound containing the C≡N group. However, there are some differences between the two:

1. Bonding: In a cyanide group, the carbon is triple-bonded to nitrogen, while in a nitrile group, the carbon is triple-bonded to another carbon.
2. Type of Compounds: Cyanides can refer to both organic and inorganic compounds containing the cyano group, while nitriles specifically refer to organic compounds containing the cyano group. Inorganic cyanides have the cyano group as an anion, such as sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide.
3. Toxicity: Most nitriles are not as toxic as cyanides.
4. Naming: Nitriles are named by adding "nitrile" to the base name of the carbon chain, plus the suffix "nitrile" (e.g., CH3CH2C≡N is called propionitrile). The prefix "cyano-" is used interchangeably with the term "nitrile" in industrial literature.
5. Geometry: Nitriles have a linear shape due to the sp hybridization of the triply bonded carbon and the 180° bond angle between the carbon and nitrogen atoms.
6. Polarity and Solubility: Nitriles are polar molecules due to the electronegative nitrogen atom, which leads to higher boiling points than molecules of similar size. They are also highly soluble in water due to their polar nature.

In summary, the main difference between cyanide and nitrile lies in their bonding and the type of compounds they refer to. While cyanides can be both organic and inorganic, nitriles are specifically organic compounds containing the cyano group.

Comparative Table: Cyanide vs Nitrile

The main difference between cyanide and nitrile lies in the type of compounds they refer to. Cyanide refers to any chemical compound containing a cyano group, while nitrile refers to any organic compound containing a cyano group. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between cyanide and nitrile: