Cyanohydrin Formation: Extending Carbonyls with CN−
Learn cyanohydrin formation: CN− nucleophilic addition to aldehydes/ketones, protonation, and equilibrium control. Includes common traps and practice questions.
Nucleophile: CN−
Electrophile: Aldehyde/ketone
Outcome: C–C bond formed; nitrile + alcohol on same carbon
Key feature: Equilibrium; favored for aldehydes and more electrophilic carbonyls
Typical conditions: HCN with catalytic base, or CN− source with controlled protonation