What would be the product when acetaldehyde reacts with HCN and the product is further hydrolysed-

Options

A. 2-Hydroxy propanoic acid
B. Lactic acid
C. Both A & B
D. None of these

Answer

To solve the question about the reaction of acetaldehyde with HCN and the subsequent hydrolysis, we can break it down into clear steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Reactants
The reactants in this reaction are acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN).

### Step 2: Understand the Reaction Mechanism
Acetaldehyde is a carbonyl compound, and it will undergo a nucleophilic addition reaction with HCN. In this reaction, the nucleophile (CN⁻ from HCN) will attack the electrophilic carbon atom of the carbonyl group (C=O) in acetaldehyde.

### Step 3: Nucleophilic Addition
1. The oxygen atom in the carbonyl group has a partial negative charge due to its higher electronegativity, while the carbon atom has a partial positive charge.
2. The cyanide ion (CN⁻) will attack the carbon atom of the carbonyl group, leading to the formation of a tetrahedral intermediate.
3. The structure of the intermediate will be CH3C(OH)(CN).

### Step 4: Hydrolysis of the Product
1. The intermediate formed (CH3C(OH)(CN)) will undergo hydrolysis. During hydrolysis, the cyanide group (CN) will be converted into a carboxylic acid (COOH).
2. The hydrolysis reaction can be represented as:
\[ CH3C(OH)(CN) + H2O \rightarrow CH3C(OH)(COOH) + NH3 \]
3. The final product after hydrolysis will be 2-hydroxypropanoic acid, commonly known as lactic acid.

### Step 5: Naming the Product
1. The longest carbon chain in the product is three carbons long, with a carboxylic acid group (COOH) and a hydroxyl group (OH).
2. The IUPAC name is determined by identifying the functional groups and their positions. The carboxylic acid group takes priority in naming.
3. The final IUPAC name for the compound is 2-hydroxypropanoic acid (lactic acid).

### Final Answer
The product when acetaldehyde reacts with HCN and is further hydrolyzed is **2-hydroxypropanoic acid (lactic acid)**.

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