Linear conjugated nitrile polymer nanowires and circular nanostructures were synthesized via a solvothermal (benzene) reduction-polymerization route involved the reaction of cyanuric chloride (C3N3Cl3) with metal potassium (K) at 300 degrees C. Experimental data suggested that this reaction results in the fracture of the triazine ring to form [-C=N-](n), chain with a C6H5-group on the carbon. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) images show that the polymer nanowires have diameters of 20-40 nm and lengths of 1-10 mu m and that the polymer circular nanostructures have diameters of 10-50 nm and shell thicknesses of 5-10 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicated that the synthesized polymer has a moderate-crystallization. Elemental analysis (from C-N-H combustion) gives the approximative bulk composition of C7NH5. The chemical bonding and optical properties of the synthesized polymer have been investigated by Mass spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-vis spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.