Nitriles: Hydrolysis to Acids and Reduction to Amines: Mechanism + Exam Traps

Transform nitriles: hydrolyze to carboxylic acids (acid or base, heat) or reduce to primary amines (LAH or hydrogenation).

• Reaction: Nitriles: Hydrolysis to Acids and Reduction to Amines
• What it does: Transform nitriles: hydrolyze to carboxylic acids (acid or base, heat) or reduce to primary amines (LAH or hydrogenation).
• Typical reagents: Compare: (1) H3O+, Δ (hydrolysis) vs (2) LiAlH4 (reduction)
• Key intermediate: Varies / context-dependent
• Driving force: Formation of strong C=O / oxidation state stabilization
• Exam type: Predict major product
• Exam type: Mechanism choice