Cyanohydrins, when reacted with mineral acid, produce _.
Correct answer: B. Alpha hydroxy carboxylic acids
- A. Beta hydroxy carboxylic acids
- B. Alpha hydroxy carboxylic acids
- C. Carboxylic acids
- D. Unsaturated acids
Explanation
The hydrolysis of cyanohydrin gives alpha hydroxy, carboxylic acids. In the above reaction, the cyano group is hydrolyzed to a carboxylic acid functional group. The number of carbon atoms in the alpha hydroxy carboxylic acid is the same as the number of carbon atoms in the cyanohydrin. E.g The hydrolysis of acetaldehyde cyanohydrin gives lactic acid
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About Nucleophilic Addition Reactions
Nucleophilic addition occurs at the polar carbonyl group of aldehydes and ketones, where a nucleophile attacks the electron-deficient carbon atom. Reactions with hydrogen cyanide, sodium bisulfite, alcohols and Grignard reagents are explained through tetrahedral intermediates, acid or base catalysis, and the different reactivity of aldehydes and ketones.
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