syanoryhmä

A syanoryhmä, a Finnish term, translates to "cyanide group" or "cyano group" in English. It refers to the functional group in organic chemistry characterized by a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom, with the chemical formula -C≡N. This group is also known as a nitrile group.

The cyano group is highly polar due to the significant electronegativity difference between carbon and nitrogen and the presence of the triple bond. This polarity influences the reactivity and physical properties of compounds containing it. Syano compounds are found in a variety of organic molecules, including nitriles, cyanohydrins, and isocyanides.

In organic synthesis, the cyano group is a versatile functional group. It can be hydrolyzed to carboxylic acids or amides, reduced to amines, or reacted with Grignard reagents to form ketones. Its presence can also activate adjacent positions for nucleophilic attack.

Many naturally occurring compounds and synthetic chemicals contain the syanoryhmä. In industry, cyanide compounds are used in processes such as electroplating, mining (for gold extraction), and the production of polymers like acrylics. However, due to the toxicity of inorganic cyanides, handling and disposal of syano-containing compounds require careful safety protocols.