Question

Cyanohydrins can be made from carbonyl compounds by generating CN– ions from HCN in the
presence of a weak base.
In a similar reaction, –CH2CO2CH3 ions are generated from CH3CO2CH3 by strong bases.
Which compound can be made from an aldehyde and CH3CO2CH3 in the presence of a strong
base?
A CH3CH(OH)CO2CH3
B CH3CO2CH2CH(OH)CH3
C CH3CH2CH(OH)CH2CO2CH3
D (CH3)2C(OH)CH2CO2CH3

Answer 1

The anion -CH2CO2CH3 reacts with any aldehyde, denoted as R-CHO, to form R-CH(OH)-CH2CO2CH3. Option 1 does not contain -CH(OH)-CO-OCH3. It has CH3O-CO-CH2-CH(OH)-CH3.

As far as I can tell, cyanohydrins have nothing to do with this problem

Answer 2

Thank you!

Answer 3

You're welcome