1. An organic compound formed by the addition of hydrogen cyanide to a carbonyl group (aldehyde or ketone), containing both a hydroxyl group and a nitrile group attached to the same carbon atom.
Usage: chemistry; technical term

Examples

• The reaction between acetaldehyde and hydrogen cyanide produces acetone cyanohydrin.
• Cyanohydrins are important intermediates in organic synthesis.
• The stability of cyanohydrins depends on pH and temperature conditions.
• Mandelonitrile is a naturally occurring cyanohydrin found in some plants.
• Chemists use cyanohydrins to prepare amino acids and other valuable compounds.