The reaction of benzyl cyanide
Fubenzyl cyanide is also an important agent in organic synthesis. It has unique properties in various reactions and is valued by chemists.

Benzyl cyanide often undergoes nucleophilic substitution when it encounters nucleophiles. If co-warmed with sodium alcohol, the alkoxy group nucleophilic attacks the benzyl carbon of benzyl cyanide, and the cyanide group leaves to form the corresponding ether. This is a wonderful way to build a carbon-oxygen bond. The reaction mechanism is that the lone pair electrons of the nucleophilic reagent migrate to the empty orbit of benzyl carbon, and after the transition state, the cyanide gradually dissociates, and a new bond is formed.

In alkaline medium, benzyl cyanide can be hydrolyzed. Hydroxide ions nucleophilically attack cyanocarbon, first forming an amide intermediate, followed by hydrolysis, and finally obtaining carboxylic acid. This process, the alkaline conditions promote the speed of hydrolysis, and the cyano group is transformed into a carboxylic group in several steps, which is one of the ways for the synthesis of carboxylic acids.

Benzyl cyanide can also participate in the reduction reaction. With an appropriate reducing agent, such as lithium aluminum hydride, the cyano group can be reduced to an amine group to obtain benzyl amines. Lithium aluminum hydride provides hydrogen negative ions, attacks the cyano group, and gradually hydrogenates it to turn the triple bond into a single bond. Cyanotransamination is widely used in the preparation of nitrogen-containing compounds.

Benzyl cyanide is like a good edge in the field of organic reactions. It is the cornerstone of the synthesis of multiple compounds. It helps to explore new frontiers and unknowns, and becomes a magnificent chapter in organic synthesis.