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.

Answered by Chemistry tutor

5135 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Which Ion from Na+ and Mg2+ has a smaller atomic radii? Explain why?


Why is a water molecule non-linear?


How does the reducing ability of halide ions vary?


Calculate the mass of the following substance: a) 2.5 x 10^23 molecules of N2


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning