Isocyanides are also known as isonitriles, carbylamines, or nitrogen-carbonitriles. These compounds are characterized by the presence of an isocyanide group (-N=C-) attached to a carbon atom. Isocyanides find their applications in various fields, including organic synthesis, pharmaceuticals, and material science. Some common isocyanides include methyl isocyanide, ethyl isocyanide, phenyl isocyanide, and t-butyl isocyanide. These compounds are known for their strong and unpleasant odor, which is reminiscent of that of bitter almonds. The discovery of isocyanides was a significant breakthrough in the field of organic chemistry, and their versatile reactivity has led to their use in a wide range of chemical reactions.