Question:

Identify the compound produced by the reduction of Ethanenitrile with Lithium aluminium hydride :

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Always count the total number of carbon atoms in the nitrile (including the carbon in the CN group) to determine the name of the resulting amine.
Updated On: Jul 22, 2026
  • Ethylamine
  • Ethanal
  • Propylamine
  • Methylamine
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Concept: Nitriles (or cyanides) contain the \(-\text{C}\equiv\text{N}\) functional group. They can be reduced to primary amines (\(-\text{NH}_2\)) using strong reducing agents such as Lithium aluminium hydride (\(\text{LiAlH}_4\)) or by catalytic hydrogenation. Step 1: Determining the structure of the starting material.
The compound is Ethanenitrile. In IUPAC nomenclature, "ethane" indicates a 2-carbon chain. The structure is: \(\text{CH}_3-\text{C}\equiv\text{N}\).

Step 2: Writing the reduction reaction.
When \(\text{CH}_3\text{CN}\) reacts with \(\text{LiAlH}_4\), four hydrogen atoms are added across the triple bond: \[ \text{CH}_3-\text{C}\equiv\text{N} + 4[\text{H}] \xrightarrow{\text{LiAlH}_4} \text{CH}_3-\text{CH}_2-\text{NH}_2 \]

Step 3: Naming the product.
The product formed is \(\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{NH}_2\). This consists of an ethyl group attached to an amino group, which is Ethylamine (or Ethanamine).

Step 4: Verification of carbon count.
The starting material has 2 carbons (Ethanenitrile). The reduction of nitriles preserves the carbon count.

• Methylamine has 1 carbon (Incorrect).

• Propylamine has 3 carbons (Incorrect).

• Ethylamine has 2 carbons (Correct).
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