Question

In presence of metal cyanide, hydrolysis of methyl cyanide gives:
A.Acetic acid
B.Methyl amine
C.Methyl alcohol
D.Formic acid

Answer 1

Hydrolysis of cyano - alkane compounds in the presence of metal cyanides usually results in the removal of the nitrogen atom in the cyanide functional group This vacant space is then occupied by the water molecule. The carbon of the cyanide group reacts with water to form a carbonyl group attached to an alcoholic group. To put it in simpler terms, it results in the formation of a carboxylic acid.

Complete step by step answer:
Before we move towards the solution of this question, let us first understand some basic concepts.
Cyanide functional group can be represented as $- CN$. The net charge on this functional group is (-1). Metal cyanides are formed when metals combine with this functional group.
Hydrolysis can be explained as a process in which water molecules can be added to the substance. This usually results in the molecules of both the substance and water to be split into parts. Ten, one fragment of the target molecule (or parent molecule) gains a hydrogen ion
The general reaction for the hydrolysis of a cyano alkane in presence of a metal cyanide can be given as:
$R - CN\xrightarrow[{metal\,\,cyanide}]{{{H_2}O}}R - COOH$
The reaction for the hydrolysis of methyl cyanide in the presence of a metal cyanide can be given as:
$C{H_3} - CN\xrightarrow[{metal\,\,cyanide}]{{{H_2}O}}C{H_3} - COOH$
Hence, this reaction results in the formation of acetic acid.

Hence, Option A is the correct option.

Note:
When cyano groups or nitriles are hydrolysed, they react with water in two stages - first they produce an amide, and then they produce the ammonium salt of a carboxylic acid.