Reaction Analysis: Identifying Product Z

This reaction involves a nucleophilic substitution mechanism where a cyanide ion (CN⁻) attacks a carbon atom adjacent to a carbonyl group. The reaction proceeds through the following steps:

Step 1: Nucleophilic Attack

The cyanide ion acts as a nucleophile and attacks the electrophilic carbon of the carbonyl compound. The reaction is:

$R - C (= O) - X + {CN}^{-} \to R - C (CN) - O - X$

where X is a leaving group (commonly halogen in such reactions).

Step 2: Formation of Cyanohydrin

The intermediate stabilizes to form a cyanohydrin, which has both -CN and -OH groups on the same carbon. The general structure is:

$R - C (OH) - CN$

Step 3: Identification of Final Product

Based on the reaction mechanism and common outcomes, the final product Z is a cyanohydrin. Comparing with the given options, the correct structure is:

Cyanohydrin structure

Final Answer

The product Z is the cyanohydrin shown in the fourth option.

Related Topics

Nucleophilic Addition Reactions
Cyanohydrin Formation
Carbonyl Compound Reactivity
Leaving Groups in Organic Chemistry

Key Formulae and Theory

General Reaction: Aldehyde/Ketone + HCN → Cyanohydrin

$R C_{1} O + H C N \to R C_{1} (O H) C N$

Mechanism: Nucleophilic addition followed by proton transfer

Application: Cyanohydrins are important intermediates in organic synthesis, particularly in the preparation of α-hydroxy acids and amino acids.