Organic compounds containing the group –CN bound to an organic group. Nitriles are made by reaction between potassium cyanide and haloalkanes in alcoholic solution, e.g.
An alternative method is dehydration of amides
They can be hydrolysed to amides and carboxylic acids and can be reduced to amines.
https://www.acdlabs.com/iupac/nomenclature/93/r93_557.htm Information about IUPAC nomenclature