Aldehydes And Ketones

Question 1

Reduction of aldehydes or ketones conditions

Answer 1

Reducing agent of NaBH⁴ is used and it is an example of nucleophilic addition. Proved a hydride nucleophile but H+ also needed so the reaction takes place under aqueous conditions.

Question 2

Hydroxynitriles synthesis conditions

Answer 2

Nucleophilic addition can also take place with the :CN- nucleophile. KCN often used instead of HCN as HCN is hard to store as a gas and reacts to produce dangerous byproducts.