Q.
What is the product $B$ in the following reaction sequence
$CH _{3}- \overset{\underset{||}{O}}{C} - CH _{3} \xrightarrow{ KCN / H _{2} SO _{4}} A \xrightarrow{ LiAlH _{4}}B$ ?
AMUAMU 2001
Solution:
When acetone reacts with $KCN / H _{2} SO _{4}$, then addition of HCN takes place and acetone cyanohydrin $(A)$ is formed. On the reduction of compound $(A)$ by $LiAlH _{4},- CN$ group is reduced into $- CH _{2} NH _{2}$ (primary amine) group.
Isocyanide gives secondary amine on reduction.
$R NC \xrightarrow[or H_2, Ni]{ LiAlH _{4}} \underset{\text { secondary amine }}{ R-NH - CH _{3}}$
