nitrilated

Nitrilated is a term used in chemistry to describe a compound that has undergone nitrilation. Nitrilation is a chemical reaction that introduces a nitrile group, which consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom (-C≡N), into an organic molecule. This process can be achieved through various synthetic routes, often involving the reaction of a halogenated organic compound with a cyanide salt, such as sodium cyanide or potassium cyanide. Alternatively, dehydration of amides can also yield nitriles.

The introduction of a nitrile group can significantly alter the physical and chemical properties of a molecule. Nitriles are polar functional groups and can participate in a variety of chemical transformations. They can be hydrolyzed to carboxylic acids or amides, reduced to amines, or undergo addition reactions at the triple bond. These reactions make nitrilated compounds valuable intermediates in the synthesis of more complex organic molecules, including pharmaceuticals, polymers, and dyes. The presence of the nitrile group can also influence a compound's solubility, reactivity, and biological activity.