What is the initial product of the acidic hydrolysis of a cyanide

Options

A. A primary amide
B. An isocyanide
C. An isocyanate
D. A nitrile

Explanation

To determine the initial product of the acidic hydrolysis of a cyanide, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Structure of Cyanide**:
- A cyanide can be represented as an alkyl cyanide, which has the structure R-C≡N, where R is an alkyl group and C≡N represents a carbon triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom.

2. **Understand Acidic Hydrolysis**:
- Acidic hydrolysis involves the reaction of the cyanide with water (H2O) in the presence of an acid (H+). The acidic environment helps facilitate the reaction.

3. **Reaction Mechanism**:
- In the presence of an acid, the nitrogen in the cyanide can become protonated. This protonation increases the electrophilicity of the carbon atom in the cyanide.

4. **Formation of the Initial Product**:
- The protonated cyanide (R-C≡N-H+) can then react with water. The water molecule attacks the carbon atom, leading to the breaking of the triple bond.
- This results in the formation of an intermediate product, which is a primary amide: R-C(=O)-NH2.

5. **Final Representation**:
- The initial product of the acidic hydrolysis of a cyanide is thus R-C(=O)-NH2, which is a primary amide.

### Summary:
The initial product of the acidic hydrolysis of a cyanide is a primary amide, represented as R-C(=O)-NH2.

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