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

5857 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Calculate the mass of sodium amide needed to obtain 550 g of sodium azide, assuming there is a 95.0% yield of sodium azide. Give your answer to 3 significant figures.


How does a mass spectrometer work?


How do you make a buffer?


Explain the position and numbering system of elements on the periodic table.


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning