Question

Each cyanide functional group (-CN) has a contribution of ______ toward the degree of unsaturation.

a) -2
b) -1
c) 0
d) +1

Answer 1

The cyanide functional group (-CN) has a contribution of -1 toward the degree of unsaturation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cyanide functional group (-CN) has a contribution of -1 toward the degree of unsaturation. This means that for each cyanide group present in a molecule, the degree of unsaturation decreases by 1. The cyanide group consists of a carbon atom bonded to a nitrogen atom by a triple bond, which counts as 1 degree of unsaturation.