question_answer

Alkyi cyanides undergo Stephen reduction to produce

A)  aldehyde      

B)  secondary amine

C)  primary amine

D)  amide

Correct Answer: A

Solution :

 An alkyi cyanide is dissolved in ether or better in ethyl formate or ethyl acetate, and reduced with \[SnC{{l}_{2}}\] and \[HCl\], and then steam distilled. This whole process is called Stephen reaction. In this process alkyi cyanide is reduced to aldehyde. \[C{{H}_{3}}-C\equiv N+2[H]+HCl\xrightarrow[ether]{SnC{{l}_{2}}+HCl}\] There is no analogous method for the preparation of ketones.