Hydrolysisi of acetonitrile in acidic medium produces

Options

A. `CH_3 CH_2OH`
B. ` CH_(3) COOH`
C. `CH_3 NC `
D. `CH_(3) COOCH_3`

Answer

To solve the question regarding the hydrolysis of acetonitrile in acidic medium, we will break down the process step by step.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Structure of Acetonitrile**:
- Acetonitrile is represented as CH₃C≡N. It contains a carbon triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom.

2. **Understand Acidic Hydrolysis**:
- In acidic medium, hydrolysis involves the addition of water (H₂O) and protons (H⁺) to the acetonitrile. The acidic medium can be represented as H⁺ or H₃O⁺.

3. **Electrophilic Attack**:
- The nitrogen atom is more electronegative than carbon, leading to a partial positive charge on the carbon (C) and a partial negative charge on the nitrogen (N). The carbon becomes electrophilic and can be attacked by water.

4. **Formation of an Intermediate**:
- When water attacks the electrophilic carbon, it forms an intermediate compound: CH₃C(OH)NH₂ (which is an amide). This step involves the breaking of the triple bond and the formation of a carbon-oxygen bond.

5. **Tautomerization**:
- The amide can undergo tautomerization, leading to the formation of CH₃C(=O)NH₂ (an amide structure). This intermediate can further react with water.

6. **Further Hydrolysis**:
- The amide can undergo further hydrolysis in the presence of water and acid. The oxygen in the water attacks the carbonyl carbon, leading to the formation of a tetrahedral intermediate.

7. **Formation of Ethanoic Acid**:
- The tetrahedral intermediate rearranges, resulting in the release of ammonia (NH₃) and the formation of CH₃C(=O)OH (ethanoic acid or acetic acid).

8. **Final Product**:
- The final product of the hydrolysis of acetonitrile in acidic medium is ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH).

### Conclusion:
Thus, the hydrolysis of acetonitrile in acidic medium produces **ethanoic acid (CH₃COOH)**.

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