Abstract The gas‐phase thermal decomposition of 3‐hydroxypropionitrile, 3‐hydroxybutyronitrile, and 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylbutyronitrile has been studied at the MP2/6‐31G (d) level of theory at 683.15 K and 0.06 atm. Results based both in energy and structure data seem to indicate a favorable route of decomposition via a six‐membered cyclic transition state (similar to those suggested for thermal decomposition of other related compounds, such as β‐hydroxyketones, β‐hydroxyalkenes, and β‐hydroxyalkynes) rather than a four‐membered cyclic transition state or even a quasiheterolytic pathway. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003