Identify the product 'Y' in the following reaction Benzonitrile C ₆ H ₅ MgBr / dry ether X H ₃ O ^+ Y + MgBr(OH) + NH ₃

Step-by-step solution

Benzonitrile is C₆H₅CN . When benzonitrile reacts with phenylmagnesium bromide ( C₆H₅MgBr ) in the presence of dry ether, a nucleophilic addition takes place at the electrophilic carbon of the cyanide group, forming an imine salt intermediate ( X ). C₆H₅CN + C₆H₅MgBr dry ether (C₆H₅)₂C=NMgBr Upon acid hydrolysis ( H₃O^+ ), the imine salt intermediate ( X ) is converted into a ketone. (C₆H₅)₂C=NMgBr H₃O^+ (C₆H₅)₂C=O + NH₃ + MgBr(OH) The product Y is (C₆H₅)₂C=O , which is benzophenone. Answer: Benzophenone