Final answer:
The cyano (CN) group of a cyanohydrin is hydrolyzed to a carboxy (COOH) group through the addition of water molecules. This reaction is typically catalyzed by an acid or a base.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cyano (CN) group of a cyanohydrin is hydrolyzed to a carboxy (COOH) group through a process called hydrolysis. In hydrolysis, the cyano group (-CN) is replaced by a hydroxyl group (-OH) through the addition of water molecules. This reaction is typically catalyzed by an acid or a base.
Here is the mechanism for the hydrolysis of a cyanohydrin:
- The water molecule acts as a nucleophile, attacking the carbon atom of the cyano group.
- This leads to the formation of a new bond between the carbon and the oxygen of the water molecule.
- Simultaneously, the oxygen of the cyano group loses its bond to the nitrogen, forming a hydroxyl group.
- The nitrogen atom gains a positive charge and is subsequently protonated by an acid or deprotonated by a base to form the carboxylic acid (-COOH) group.