The adsorption structure and binding of benzyl mercaptide (BZM) and benzyl isocyanide (BZI) on gold and silver nanocolloid surfaces have been comparatively investigated by means of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The appearance of the ring nu(C-H) band denoted a standing geometry of the phenyl ring of BZI. On gold, the C-NC bonds appeared to have a largely parallel orientation as evidenced by the disappearance of the nu(as)(CH2) vibrations. On the other hand, a prominent nu(as)(CH2) band in the SERS spectra suggests a rather linear bond angle of C-NdropC: on silver. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.