Ethanol reacts with potassium cyanide, followed by dilute acid, to form 2-hydroxypropanenitrile - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 4 - 2019 - Paper 3
Question 4
Ethanol reacts with potassium cyanide, followed by dilute acid, to form 2-hydroxypropanenitrile.
Name the mechanism for the reaction between potassium cyanide and e... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Ethanol reacts with potassium cyanide, followed by dilute acid, to form 2-hydroxypropanenitrile - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 4 - 2019 - Paper 3
Step 1
Name the mechanism for the reaction between potassium cyanide and ethanol.
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Answer
The mechanism for the reaction is known as nucleophilic addition.
Step 2
State the name of this type of mixture.
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Answer
The name of this type of mixture is racemic mixture.
Step 3
Explain how the structure of ethanol leads to the formation of two isomers.
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Answer
Ethanol's structure, which includes a chiral carbon (the carbon bonded to both the hydroxyl group and the ethyl group), allows for the possibility of two different configurations in its resulting products. This results in the formation of two isomers, each differing in their spatial arrangements.
Step 4
Draw 3D representations of the two isomers to show the relationship between them.
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Answer
Below are the 3D representations of the two isomers:
Structure of 2-hydroxypropanenitrile (isomer 1):
Structure of 2-hydroxypropanenitrile (isomer 2):
Step 5
Suggest a suitable reagent and conditions for the conversion of 2-hydroxypropanenitrile into acrylonitrile.
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A suitable reagent is concentrated H2SO4 and the conditions include heating at a temperature of about 170°C.
Step 6
Draw a section of the polymer polyacrylonitrile, showing three repeating units.
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Answer
The structure of polyacrylonitrile with three repeating units is as follows:
