Question
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
MHT CET
Chemistry
Aldehydes and Ketones
2026
MHT CET 2026 (17 April Shift 2)
MHT CET Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution
Options
- A. Benzophenone
- B. Benzylalcohol
- C. Benzaldehyde
- D. Benzoic acid
Answer
A. Benzophenone
Step-by-step solution
Benzonitrile is C_6H_5CN. When benzonitrile reacts with phenylmagnesium bromide (C_6H_5MgBr) 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). C_6H_5CN + C_6H_5MgBr dry ether (C_6H_5)_2C=NMgBr Upon acid hydrolysis (H_3O^+), the imine salt intermediate (X) is converted into a ketone. (C_6H_5)_2C=NMgBr H_3O^+ (C_6H_5)_2C=O + NH_3 + MgBr(OH) The product Y is (C_6H_5)_2C=O, which is benzophenone. Answer: Benzophenone
Related: Chemistry — Aldehydes and Ketones · All PYQ Banks