1
$\begingroup$

What is the IUPAC name of isocyanide : isonitrile or carbylamine?

Are "methyl isocyanide" and "carbylamine" the same thing?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
  • $\begingroup$ Note that carbylamines is an obsolete and deprecated name for isocyanides (isonitriles). $\endgroup$ – mykhal Jan 11 '19 at 18:32
4
$\begingroup$

The most recent IUPAC recommendations[1] states that:

P-61.9: Preferred IUPAC names are formed substitutively using the prefix ‘isocyano’ attached directly to a parent hydride.

This is a change from previous recommendations, and differs from some of your examples above.

To give a concrete example, $\ce{C6H5NC}$ should be named isocyanobenzene - this is known as a PIN by IUPAC (preferred IUPAC name). Phenylisocyanide is also acknowledged as an acceptable trivial name (a name that does not conform to the recommendations but is still commonly used).

[1]: IUPAC Recommendations for Preferred Names 2013, Chapter P-6. DOI:10.1039/9781849733069-00648

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
  • $\begingroup$ Can I get an example of an open chain compound with isocyanide group IUPAC name attaching suffix $\endgroup$ – Sounak Biswas Nov 30 '17 at 8:15
  • $\begingroup$ Isocyanoethane. The nomenclature system is universal, you just need to know the correct prefix. $\endgroup$ – NotEvans. Nov 30 '17 at 15:08
  • $\begingroup$ Okay that means in case of isocyanide we will not use suffix but in case of cyanides we will still use the suffix "nitriles" $\endgroup$ – Sounak Biswas Nov 30 '17 at 16:56

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.