Formonitrile

/ˌfɔːməʊˈnaɪtrɪl/ noun

Definition

A chemical compound containing both formyl (form-related) and nitrile (nitrogen-containing) functional groups; hydrogen cyanide or related compounds.

Etymology

From formo- (relating to formaldehyde or formyl groups) + nitrile (from French nitrile, from nitro- + -ile). This is systematic chemical nomenclature combining two functional group identifiers.

Kelly Says

Formonitrile is what happens when chemists get brutally honest in naming—instead of inventing trade names, they describe exactly what atoms are bonded where; it's like the difference between 'Kleenex' and 'facial tissue.'

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