Identify the compound A and B in the following reaction.
\[
\text{CH}_3\text{Cl} + \text{KCN (alc)} \xrightarrow{\Delta} A + 2\text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{HCl} \rightarrow B + \text{NH}_4\text{Cl}
\]
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The reaction of alkyl halides with potassium cyanide results in nitriles, which can be hydrolyzed to form carboxylic acids.
Step 1: Understanding the reaction.
In this reaction, methyl chloride (\( \text{CH}_3\text{Cl} \)) reacts with potassium cyanide (\( \text{KCN} \)) to form ethanenitrile (\( \text{CH}_3\text{CN} \)), which then undergoes hydrolysis to form ethanoic acid (\( \text{CH}_3\text{COOH} \)). The reaction also produces ammonium chloride (\( \text{NH}_4\text{Cl} \)).
Step 2: Analyzing the options. (A) A = methylisocyanide, B = Methanoic acid: Incorrect — The product is not methylisocyanide. (B) A = Ethanenitrile, B = Methanoic acid: Incorrect — The hydrolysis of ethanenitrile gives ethanoic acid, not methanoic acid. (C) A = Ethanenitrile, B = Ethanoic acid: Correct — Ethanenitrile is the product of the reaction, and it hydrolyzes to form ethanoic acid. (D) A = methyl cyanide, B = methanoic acid: Incorrect — The correct product is ethanenitrile, not methyl cyanide.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (C) A = Ethanenitrile, B = Ethanoic acid, as ethanenitrile is the product of the reaction and it hydrolyzes to form ethanoic acid.
