alkyl cyanides

Question

Hydrolysis of ethyl cyanide gives:

RankGuru · Accepted Answer

**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 ($CH_3CH_2CN$)** contains a total of 3 carbon atoms.
- Hydrolysis reaction:
$CH_3CH_2-C\equiv N + 2H_2O + H^+ 	o CH_3CH_2-COOH + NH_4^+$
- The resulting acid is **Propionic acid** (Propanoic acid). Note that the number of carbon atoms in the chain remains conserved.

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alkyl cyanides

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