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Glite Dictionary
cyano group

cyano group

7.0
A small part of a molecule with one carbon joined to one nitrogen by three bonds written −CN
  • noun
  • /ˈsaɪənoʊ ɡruːp/
  • Specialized
translation icon : grupo ciano
  • Many pharmaceuticals incorporate a cyano group to modify their biological activity.

Examples

  • The infrared spectrum shows a strong absorption due to the cyano group.

  • The presence of a cyano group in the molecule increases its reactivity.

  • The cyano group is crucial in organic chemistry.

  • A cyano group can significantly affect a molecule's properties.

  • In many organic compounds, a cyano group is used to enhance their chemical properties.

  • The cyano group is often present in compounds that exhibit biological activity.

  • Researchers found that the cyano group contributes to the stability of certain molecules.

Synonyms

cyanide group
vscyano group
  • Specialized
6.4

A small group of one carbon and one nitrogen atom, written -CN, found in many chemicals and often poisonous

is the alternative label used in the key description
cyano radical
vscyano group
  • Specialized
9.3

A small chemical group made of one carbon and one nitrogen atom that attaches to other molecules, written as −CN

is used more generally across compound types rather than focusing on nitriles
cyanide radical
vscyano group
  • Specialized
8.4

A small chemical group made of one carbon and one nitrogen atom written as -CN

is used more broadly for the same chemical group across contexts

Surface Forms

cyano group singular
cyano groups plural

Morphology

cyano + group

The structure is compositional (modifier + 'group') and for someone who knows that 'cyano' refers to the −CN chemical unit the meaning follows predictably as a chemical substituent. However, 'cyano' is a specialized bound morpheme not known by average B1 learners, so the term is not fully transparent to typical learners without subject-specific vocabulary knowledge.

Etymology

The name cyano group comes from cyano, a word linked to the color 'blue' because early chemists found these chemicals in the deep pigment called 'Prussian blue'. So today cyano group means a small chemical piece made of carbon and nitrogen that chemists add to molecules.