Question

4-methylpentan-2-one is reacted with potassium cyanide, and then hydrocloric acid. In the first part of the reaction, the pi bond between the carbon and oxygen breaks, giving the oxygen an extra lone pair. The cyanide carbon now attack the now positive carbonyl carbon, and bonds. Now this intermediate reacts with the hydrochloric acid, and the negative alkoxide attacks the hydrogen. The potassium and the chloride ions forms a by product of potassium chloride, while the main product should be called 2-hydroxy-2,4-dimethylpentanenitrile. Can someone sketch this mechanism with arrows showing what is being moved

Answer 1

Coco Luka tyto en - kt ca Hte- s eltz oo Hzc entend cex (Alkoxide) (4-methyl pentan - 2-one) etst kel (2-hydroxy-2,4- dimethylpentane nitrile; + K+