What product is formed from the hydrolysis of a nitrile?

The hydrolysis of a nitrile results in the formation of a carboxylic acid. Nitriles, which contain the functional group -C≡N, can be hydrolyzed in the presence of water, often under acidic or basic conditions, leading to the conversion of the nitrile to a carboxylic acid (-COOH).

During hydrolysis, the nitrile undergoes hydration, where the triple bond between carbon and nitrogen is broken, resulting in the formation of an intermediate species that eventually loses ammonia (NH₃) and rearranges to yield a carboxylic acid.

This transformation highlights the ability of nitriles to act as valuable intermediates in organic synthesis, as they can easily be transformed into more functionalized carboxylic acid groups through hydrolysis. The correct identification of the product as a carboxylic acid reflects the underlying mechanisms at play and the nature of the reactions involving nitrile compounds.