Question

Carboxylic acids can be made by the hydrolysis of nitriles, which in turn can be made from an alkyl halide. Draw the structures of a starting alkyl bromide and the intermediate nitrile that would be used in the synthesis of 3-methylbutanoic acid (also known as isovaleric acid). Do not show free ions.

Answer 1

The alkyl bromide will be:1-bromo-2-methylpropane

The nitrile will be: 3-methylbutanenitrile

Step-by-step explanation:

The hydrolysis of nitrile and its synthesis from alkyl halid is shown in the figure.

The target acid contains five carbons so we need a four carbon alkyl bromide which will give five carbon nitrile.

The alkyl bromide will be:1-bromo-2-methylpropane

We will react the alkyl bromide with NaCN to give nitrile.

The nitrile will be: 3-methylbutanenitrile