The product P in the reaction,

Step-by-step solution

The reaction of a nitrile ( R-CN ) with a Grignard reagent ( R'-MgX ) followed by acidic hydrolysis ( H₃O⁺ ) is a standard method for the synthesis of ketones. The mechanism proceeds as follows: 1. The nucleophilic alkyl group ( CH₃⁻ ) from the Grignard reagent attacks the electrophilic carbon of the nitrile group ( -CN ). 2. This forms an imine salt intermediate: Ar-C(CH₃)=N-MgBr . 3. Subsequent acidic hydrolysis ( H₃O⁺ ) converts the imine intermediate into a ketone ( Ar-C(=O)CH₃ ) and releases ammonia/ammonium s