The reaction of benzyl chloride with sodium cyanide followed by reduction with hydrogen in the presence of nickel gives

Options

A. `beta`-phenylethylamine
B. N-isobutylaniline
C. Benzyl amine
D. Aniline

Answer

To solve the question regarding the reaction of benzyl chloride with sodium cyanide followed by reduction with hydrogen in the presence of nickel, we can break it down into clear steps:

### Step 1: Identify Benzyl Chloride
Benzyl chloride is represented as C6H5CH2Cl. It consists of a benzene ring (C6H5) attached to a CH2 group which is further attached to a chlorine atom (Cl).

### Step 2: Reaction with Sodium Cyanide
When benzyl chloride reacts with sodium cyanide (NaCN), the cyanide ion (CN⁻) acts as a nucleophile. The nucleophilic substitution reaction occurs where the cyanide ion attacks the carbon atom bonded to chlorine, leading to the displacement of the chlorine atom.

**Reaction:**
\[ \text{C6H5CH2Cl} + \text{NaCN} \rightarrow \text{C6H5CH2CN} + \text{NaCl} \]

The product formed is benzyl cyanide (C6H5CH2CN).

### Step 3: Reduction with Hydrogen in the Presence of Nickel
The next step involves the reduction of benzyl cyanide (C6H5CH2CN) using hydrogen gas (H2) in the presence of a nickel catalyst. This reduction process will convert the cyanide group (–CN) into an amine group (–NH2).

**Reaction:**
\[ \text{C6H5CH2CN} + 2 \text{H2} \xrightarrow{\text{Ni}} \text{C6H5CH2CH2NH2} \]

The product formed after reduction is benzylamine (C6H5CH2CH2NH2).

### Step 4: Naming the Final Product
The final product, benzylamine, can be analyzed for its structure. It consists of a benzene ring (C6H5) attached to a CH2 group, which is further connected to another CH2 group that is bonded to an amine group (–NH2).

The structure can be summarized as:
- The amine group is attached to the beta carbon (the second carbon from the benzene ring).
- Therefore, the compound can be named as beta-phenyl ethylamine.

### Conclusion
The final product of the reaction of benzyl chloride with sodium cyanide followed by reduction with hydrogen in the presence of nickel is **beta-phenyl ethylamine**.

### Answer:
**Option 1: beta-phenyl ethylamine**

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