benzonitrile
nounEtymology From benzo- + nitr- + -ile. Discovered and coined by Hermann Fehling in 1844. There is no listing for the suffix -ile in the IUPAC Red or Blue Books; it may have been an early variant of -yl before its meaning and spelling had ossified; compare protyle also with a unique suffix.
1
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Organic chemistry, Physical sciences The aromatic nitrile C₆H₅-CN; used as a solvent and has many industrial applications.
- Derived terms
- bromobenzonitrile
- Related terms
- benzylnitrile, nitrile