Nitriles are organic compounds that contain a cyano group, which is a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom (–C≡N). They are often derived from carboxylic acids by replacing the hydroxyl group with a nitrile group. Nitriles can be found in various natural and synthetic substances, and they are used in the production of plastics, solvents, and pharmaceuticals. In addition to their industrial applications, nitriles can also be important in organic chemistry for synthesizing other compounds. For example, they can be converted into amines or carboxylic acids through hydrolysis. Their unique structure makes them valuable in various chemical reactions and processes.