Explain how a hydroxynitrile is produced from a ketone

Hydroxynitriles are produced from ketones by a nucleophilic addition reaction. The negatively charged cyanide ion from KCN is attracted to the partially positive carbon on the carbonyl group. This causes one of the bonds on the Carbon-Oxygen double bond to break. This produces a negatively charged oxygen with a free lone pair of electrons. The lone pair acts as a nucleophile to a H+ in the HCl, adding it to produce a hydroxynitrile.

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is a free radical substitution reaction and what are the stages?


What factors affect the equilibrium position and in what way?


Describe the structure of benzene with reference to delocalisation and an analysis of the Kekule structure.


Proteins are an important part of a healthy diet because they provide essential amino acids. (a) State what is meant by an essential amino acid.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences