IUPAC names nitriles by adding the suffix -nitrile to the name of the alkane with the same number of carbons.

nitriles nomenclature1

[1] Methanenitrile

[2] Ethanenitrile

[3] Ethanedinitrile

[4] 3-Methylbutanenitrile


When they act as substituents, the particle cyano- ..... is used, preceding the name of the main chain.

nitriles2 nomenclature

[5] 3-Bromo-5-cyanohexanoic acid

[6] 3-Cyanocyclohexanecarboxylic acid


Cyclic bonded nitriles are named by ending the ring name in -carbonitrile

nitriles3 nomenclature

[7] Benzenecarbonitrile (Benzonitrile)

[8] 3-Oxocyclohexanecarbonitrile

[9] 3-Bromo-5-hydroxycyclohexanecarbonitrile