benzonitrile: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Specialist)Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “benzonitrile” mean?
A colorless, toxic organic compound (C₆H₅CN) with the structure of benzene where a hydrogen atom is replaced by a nitrile group (-CN).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A colorless, toxic organic compound (C₆H₅CN) with the structure of benzene where a hydrogen atom is replaced by a nitrile group (-CN).
A versatile chemical intermediate and solvent used in organic synthesis, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Pronunciation and phonetic transcription vary slightly between dialects.
Connotations
None beyond its technical, chemical meaning.
Frequency
Exclusively used in chemistry-related contexts in both varieties with identical frequency.
Grammar
How to Use “benzonitrile” in a Sentence
The synthesis requires BENZONITRILE as a starting material.BENZONITRILE was added to the reaction mixture.The compound was recrystallised from BENZONITRILE.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “benzonitrile” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The benzonitrile solution was carefully prepared.
American English
- A benzonitrile solvent system was employed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
May appear in procurement or safety documents for chemical supply.
Academic
Common in chemistry research papers, organic chemistry textbooks, and lab manuals.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary domain. Used in chemical patents, synthesis protocols, material safety data sheets (MSDS), and industrial process descriptions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “benzonitrile”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “benzonitrile”
- Misspelling as 'benzonitril' (missing the final 'e').
- Mispronouncing the '-nitrile' part as /ˈnɪtraɪl/ (like 'nitre-ile') instead of the standard /ˈnaɪtraɪl/ or /ˈnaɪtrəl/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, benzonitrile is toxic if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin and requires careful handling in a controlled laboratory environment.
It is described as having an almond-like odour, characteristic of many nitriles and cyanides, but this should never be deliberately inhaled due to its toxicity.
No, it is not a consumer product. It is an industrial and laboratory chemical used to make other substances like pharmaceuticals, dyes, or rubber chemicals.
They are distinct compounds. Benzonitrile (C₆H₅CN) contains a -CN (cyano) group. Nitrobenzene (C₆H₅NO₂) contains a -NO₂ (nitro) group. They have different chemical properties, toxicities, and uses.
A colorless, toxic organic compound (C₆H₅CN) with the structure of benzene where a hydrogen atom is replaced by a nitrile group (-CN).
Benzonitrile is usually technical/scientific in register.
Benzonitrile: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbɛnzəʊˈnaɪtraɪl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbɛnzoʊˈnaɪtrəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BENZene + nitrILE = BENZONITRILE. The 'benz' part is the ring, the 'nitrile' is the -CN group.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A for this technical term.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary use of benzonitrile?