Methyl Isocyanate, the poisonous gas which was responsible for Bhopal tragedy in 1984, on alkaline hydrolysis gives

Options

A. Methylamine
B. Methyl carbamic acid
C. Ethyl amine
D. Methyl cyanide

Answer

To solve the problem of what methyl isocyanate yields upon alkaline hydrolysis, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the structure of methyl isocyanate
Methyl isocyanate has the chemical formula CH₃N=C=O. It consists of a methyl group (CH₃) attached to an isocyanate group (N=C=O).

### Step 2: Set up the hydrolysis reaction
When methyl isocyanate undergoes hydrolysis, it reacts with water (H₂O). In alkaline hydrolysis, hydroxide ions (OH⁻) are also present, which can facilitate the reaction.

### Step 3: Break the isocyanate bond
The isocyanate functional group (N=C=O) can be hydrolyzed. The reaction involves breaking the triple bond between nitrogen and carbon, which requires the addition of water.

### Step 4: Add water to the reaction
The hydrolysis of methyl isocyanate can be represented as:
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{N} \equiv \text{C} + 2 \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{NH}_2 + \text{HCOOH} \]
Here, two molecules of water are needed to provide the necessary hydrogen and hydroxyl groups.

### Step 5: Identify the products
After hydrolysis, the products formed are:
- Methylamine (CH₃NH₂)
- Formic acid (HCOOH)

### Conclusion
Thus, the products of the alkaline hydrolysis of methyl isocyanate are methylamine and formic acid. The primary amine produced is methylamine, which is the answer to the question.

### Final Answer
Methyl isocyanate on alkaline hydrolysis gives methylamine (CH₃NH₂) and formic acid (HCOOH).

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