Identify the final product formed during the course of the given reactions. Pentan-2-one NaCN / HCl [ X ][ X ] [95 % H ₃ PO ₄] with [Y]

Step-by-step solution

The reaction of pentan-2-one with NaCN/HCl is a cyanohydrin formation reaction. Pentan-2-one is CH₃-C(=O)-CH₂-CH₂-CH₃ . The nucleophilic addition of cyanide ion ( CN⁻ ) to the carbonyl carbon of pentan-2-one followed by protonation yields 2-hydroxy-2-methylpentanenitrile, which is the intermediate [X]. The structure of [X] is CH₃-C(OH)(CN)-CH₂-CH₂-CH₃ . The subsequent reaction of [X] with 95% H₃PO₄ at elevated temperature is a dehydration reaction. The hydroxyl group (-OH) is protonated to form a good leaving group