Question

Acetonitrile on reduction gives:
A.ethanamine
B. propanamine
C. methanamine
D.None of the above

Answer 1

Acetonitrile ($C{H_3}CN$ ) is an important solvent. In this case, we use $LiAl{H_4}$ as a reducing agent. Acetonitrile is the voltaic organic compound. It is used as a solvent in the extraction process of hydrocarbons.

Complete step by step answer:
Acetonitrile is a nitrile in which is hydrogen cyanide in which hydrogen is replaced by a methyl group$(C{H_3})$ . It is also called cyanomethane. Cyanomethane is a limpid liquid that has no color which has an aromatic odor. Its functions as an aprotic solvent and is an aliphatic nitrile. It is obtained as the byproduct of manufacturing acrylonitrile. The nitrile reacts with the lithium tetrahydrido aluminate in solution in ethoxyethane followed by treatment of the product of that reaction with dilute acid.
Hence, the carbon-nitrogen triple bond is reduced to give a primary amine. Primary amines contain the $N{H_2}$ group.
$C{H_3}CN + 4[H] \to C{H_3}C{H_2}N{H_2}$
where $C{H_3}C{H_2}N{H_2}$ is known as ethanamine.

Hence, we can see that Option A is correct.

Additional Information:
Acetonitrile can also be reduced by reaction with hydrogen gas in the presence of a variety of metal catalysts. Commonly used catalysts are palladium, platinum, or nickel. The reaction will take place at a raised temperature and pressure. It is impossible to give exact details because it will vary from catalyst to catalyst. For example, ethane nitrile can be reduced to ethylamine by reaction with hydrogen in the presence of a palladium catalyst.
$C{H_3}CN + 2{H_2}\xrightarrow{{Pd}}C{H_3}C{H_2}N{H_2}$

Note:
We have approached this reaction, with reduction. In this reaction acetonitrile reduces ethanamine in the presence of a strong reducing agent i.e. $LiAl{H_4}$. Thus the compound A is here $C{H_3}C{H_2}N{H_2}$ (ethanamine). Ethanamine can be formed in the presence of a variety of metal catalysts also.