ISOCYANIDE Meaning and
Definition
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An isocyanide is a class of organic compounds that contains an isocyanide group, which is composed of a carbon atom, a nitrogen atom, and a triple bond between them (C≡N). Also known as carbylamine, isonitrile, or isocyanogen, isocyanides are characterized by their pungent odor and reactivity with a wide range of chemicals.
Isocyanides can be obtained through various reactions, such as the reaction between primary amines and chloroform with a base, known as the Hofmann isocyanide synthesis. They can also be generated from the reaction between alkyl halides and silver cyanide. Isocyanides are versatile chemical building blocks employed in the synthesis of various important compounds, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and polymers.
Due to their distinctive odors, isocyanides are often employed as stench gases for warning purposes, especially in detection systems and safety devices. The toxicity of isocyanides, especially aromatic isocyanides, should be noted as they may cause skin and eye irritation, respiratory issues, and in some cases, even poisoning.
Moreover, isocyanides are valuable ligands in coordination chemistry, forming complexes with transition metals. These complexes possess unique properties that make them useful in catalysis and other applications. Isocyanides also find wide-ranging applications in materials science, electrochemistry, and other branches of chemistry.
Common Misspellings for ISOCYANIDE
- isocyanide
- usocyanide
- jsocyanide
- ksocyanide
- osocyanide
- 9socyanide
- 8socyanide
- iaocyanide
- izocyanide
- ixocyanide
- idocyanide
- ieocyanide
- iwocyanide
- isicyanide
- iskcyanide
- islcyanide
- ispcyanide
- is0cyanide
- is9cyanide
- isoxyanide
Etymology of ISOCYANIDE
The word "isocyanide" consists of two parts: "iso-" and "cyanide".
1. "Iso-" is a prefix commonly used in chemistry and comes from the Greek word "ísos", meaning "equal" or "same". The prefix "iso-" is used to indicate that a compound has the same number and arrangement of atoms as another compound, but with a different spatial arrangement or position.
2. "Cyanide" comes from the French word "cyanide", which in turn was derived from the Greek word "kyanos" meaning "blue". The blue pigment known as "Prussian blue" contained the cyanide ion, which led to the compound being named cyanide.
Therefore, the term "isocyanide" refers to a compound that is structurally similar to a cyanide, but with a different arrangement or position of atoms.
