Nucleophilic addition with cyanideAQA A-Level Chemistry: Mind map

Exam questions on Nucleophilic addition with cyanide

1. A student adds potassium cyanide solution to ethanal, then adds dilute sulfuric acid. A hydroxynitrile is formed in a nucleophilic addition reaction.
   State the role of the dilute acid in the reaction and give one hazard of using KCN.2 marks
2. A chemist is investigating the reactions of several carbonyl compounds with KCN followed by dilute acid. The products are hydroxynitriles, and the chemist wants to know which of the products contain a chiral centre.
   Butanone, CH₃COCH₂CH₃, reacts with HCN. Write the overall equation for this reaction and name the organic product.2 marks
3. Propanal is added to a solution of KCN in a fume cupboard. Dilute acid is then added to the mixture. The organic product is a hydroxynitrile.
   Write the overall equation for the reaction of propanal with HCN, name the organic product, and name the type of mechanism.3 marks