Intermediate product of hydrolysis of cyanide is

Options

A. `RCOONH_4`
B. `RCONH_2`
C. `R-underset(OH)underset(|)C=NH`
D. `R-C-=overset(o+)NH`

Answer

To solve the question about the intermediate product of hydrolysis of cyanide, we will analyze the hydrolysis process in both acidic and basic media.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Cyanide Structure**:
- Cyanide (−C≡N) consists of a carbon atom triple-bonded to a nitrogen atom. The carbon atom is electrophilic due to the electronegativity difference between carbon and nitrogen.

2. **Hydrolysis in Basic Medium**:
- In a basic medium, hydroxide ions (OH⁻) act as nucleophiles. They attack the electrophilic carbon atom in the cyanide.
- The reaction can be represented as:
\[ R-C≡N + OH⁻ \rightarrow R-C(OH)-N \text{ (intermediate)} \]
- This intermediate is an amide (−C(OH)−NH₂).

3. **Formation of Carboxylic Acid**:
- The intermediate can further react with water (hydrolysis) to form a carboxylic acid and ammonia:
\[ R-C(OH)-N + H_2O \rightarrow R-COOH + NH_3 \]

4. **Hydrolysis in Acidic Medium**:
- In an acidic medium, the cyanide can also undergo hydrolysis. The nitrogen atom can accept a proton (H⁺), making it positively charged.
- The reaction can be represented as:
\[ R-C≡N + H_2O \rightarrow R-C(OH)-NH_3^+ \text{ (intermediate)} \]
- This intermediate is also an amide (−C(OH)−NH₃⁺).

5. **Final Product in Acidic Medium**:
- The positively charged nitrogen can lose a proton to form a neutral amide:
\[ R-C(OH)-NH_3^+ \rightarrow R-COOH + NH₄^+ \]

6. **Conclusion**:
- In both acidic and basic conditions, the intermediate product of the hydrolysis of cyanide is an amide. Therefore, the answer to the question is that the intermediate product of hydrolysis of cyanide is an **amide**.