Mendius reaction converts an alkyl cyanide to"

Options

A. `Zn-Hg //HCI`
B. `SnCl_2 //HCI`
C. `Na//C_2H_5 OH`
D. `LiAlH_4`

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Mendis Reaction:**
- The Mendis reaction is a chemical reaction that involves the reduction of nitriles to primary amines. Nitriles are compounds that contain a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom (R-C≡N).

2. **Formation of Nitriles:**
- Nitriles can be formed from amides through a dehydration process. For example, when an amide (R-C(O)NH2) is heated in the presence of phosphorus pentoxide (P4O10), it loses a water molecule and converts into a nitrile (R-C≡N).

3. **Reduction of Nitriles:**
- The reduction of nitriles to primary amines is achieved by reacting the nitrile with sodium in the presence of an alcohol, typically ethanol. The general reaction can be represented as:
\[ R-C≡N + 2 \text{[H]} \xrightarrow{\text{Na, EtOH}} R-CH2-NH2 \]
- Here, the nitrile (R-C≡N) is reduced to a primary amine (R-CH2-NH2).

4. **Identifying the Correct Answer:**
- The question asks what the Mendis reaction converts an alkyl cyanide to. Based on the above understanding, we conclude that the Mendis reaction converts an alkyl cyanide (which is a type of nitrile) to a primary amine.

5. **Conclusion:**
- Therefore, the Mendis reaction converts an alkyl cyanide to a primary amine.

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