Alkyl Cyanides
Easychemistry
Hydrolysis of ethyl cyanide gives:
Select the correct option:
Solution
Incorrect! Answer:
Propionic acid
Nitriles (Cyanides) are hydrolyzed to carboxylic acids in the presence of an acid or alkali catalyst.
- The carbon atom of the −CN group is converted to the −COOH group.
- Ethyl cyanide (CH3CH2CN) contains a total of 3 carbon atoms.
- Hydrolysis reaction: CH3CH2−C≡N+2H2O+H+→CH3CH2−COOH+NH4+
- The resulting acid is Propionic acid (Propanoic acid). Note that the number of carbon atoms in the chain remains conserved.
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About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- organic compounds containing nitrogen
- Topic
- alkyl cyanides
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
Propionic acid
Nitriles (Cyanides) are hydrolyzed to carboxylic acids in the presence of an acid or alkali catalyst.
- The carbon atom of the −CN group is converted to the −COOH group.
- Ethyl cyanide (CH3CH2CN) contains a total of 3 carbon atoms.
- Hydrolysis reaction: CH3CH2−C≡N+2H2O+H+→CH3CH2−COOH+NH4+
- The resulting acid is Propionic acid (Propanoic acid). Note that the number of carbon atoms in the chain remains conserved.
This easy difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter organic compounds containing nitrogen, covering the topic of alkyl cyanides. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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