The planar complex hydrocarbon molecule trans-cyanovinyl acetylene (CVA, HC≡CCH=CHC≡N) was identified by Lee and co-workers in GOTHAM survey data collected with the Green Bank Telescope and reported in 2021. The most stable form of C₅H₃N — vinyl- cyanoacetylene — was also detected, but the cis-CVA form was not detected in the survey data. The rotational spectrum for the least stable isomer, cyanoethynylethene, has not yet been measured in the laboratory. tran-cyanovinyl acetylene is the 62nd cyano, isocyano, or cyanide species to be featured as Astromolecule of the Month in the 23 years of The Astrochymist.

This month's molecule is a tricky one to name because it contains C≡N and C≡C triple bonds and a C=C double bond. "Cyanovinyl acetylene" follows the convention used for molecules like propyne, which is often called methyl acetylene. This naming style notes that both molecules can be thought of as derivatives of acetylene. But we could alternatively choose to emphasize the double bond and name this month's molecule trans-cyanoethynyl ethene. The IUPAC name is less biased. It is a nitrile because of the C≡N triple bond. It has a backbone of five carbon atoms, so it should have pent- or penta- in the name. It also has the C≡C and C=C bonds. The IUPAC name is E-pent-2-en-4-ynenitrile. The numbering starts with the carbon atom bonded to the nitrogen atom.