Contextualization

Nitrile and isonitrile are two important families of organic compounds that have a Nitrogen atom in the molecule. In nitrile compounds, Nitrogen is directly bonded to Carbon, while in isonitriles, the bond is to a Hydrogen. The nomenclature of these compounds is essential for the identification and classification of these molecules in the field of Organic Chemistry.

Nitriles

Nitriles (R-C≡N) are organic compounds where a cyano group (-C≡N) is bonded to a radical R. They are also called cyanic acids. Nitriles are commonly named by replacing the -o suffix of the corresponding hydrocarbons with -onitrile.

Isonitriles

Isonitriles (or carbylamine or isocyanides) are organic compounds that have the general formula R-N≡C. They are isomers of nitriles. These compounds were first discovered in the mid-19th century in studies on the structure of phenyl isocyanide. The nomenclature of isonitriles follows the format of prefix+iso+nitrile.

But you may wonder: why should we learn the nomenclature of these compounds? Well, nitriles and isonitriles are widely used in the chemical industry. Nitriles, for example, are employed in the production of nitrile rubber, which is characterized by its oil resistance. Isonitriles, on the other hand, are used as intermediates in the synthesis of complex compounds, including many pharmaceutical products.

Chemical nomenclature is an important field of Chemistry that facilitates communication among scientists around the world. It is crucial to have a proper understanding of the nomenclature of chemical compounds, as it helps not only to identify the structure of a compound but also some important properties.

Practical Activity: 'Discovering the World of Nitriles and Isonitriles'

Project Objective

The activity aims to introduce the concepts of nomenclature of nitriles and isonitriles and allow students to understand and practice the naming of these chemical compounds.

Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 members, and each group will be responsible for collecting information about the nomenclature and applications of nitriles and isonitriles. They should create a name notebook, where they will record the names and chemical structures of different nitriles and isonitriles. Then, each group should prepare a presentation to share their findings with the class.

Required Materials

1. Organic chemistry textbooks.
2. Internet access for additional research.
3. Paper and pens for creating the name notebook.
4. Presentation equipment (such as a projector and computer).

Step by Step

1. Form groups of 3 to 5 students and explain the tasks they will need to perform.
2. Ask students to research the nomenclature of nitriles and isonitriles using the provided resources and any others they find useful.
3. Have students create a name notebook in which they will record the names and chemical structures of the different compounds they find.
4. Ask students to research the applications of nitriles and isonitriles and add this information to the name notebook.
5. Have each group prepare a 10 to 15-minute presentation to share their findings with the class. The presentation should include a discussion of the discovered nomenclatures and applications and a demonstration of how to name nitriles and isonitriles.
6. Schedule a date for the group presentations.

Project Deliverables

At the end of the project, each group must deliver:

1. The Name Notebook, including the name, chemical structure, and application of at least 10 nitriles and 10 isonitriles.
2. The presentation they made to the class.
3. A written report following the format:
   • Introduction: Should include a description of the project's objective, the importance of the nomenclature of nitriles and isonitriles, and their relevance in the real world.
   • Development: Should include a detailed discussion on the nomenclature of nitriles and isonitriles, the methodology used to collect information, the preparation of the name notebook, and the presentation preparation.
   • Conclusion: Students should highlight the main points of the project, the main learnings, and their conclusions about the importance of nomenclature knowledge for organic chemistry.
   • Bibliography: Should include all references used in the project.

Each student should dedicate 2 to 4 hours to execute the project. The deadline for the delivery of all activities is one week after the formation of the groups.