Question

What is the action of Grignard reagent on benzonitrile?

Answer 1

Benzonitrile on reaction with the Grignard reagent in the dry ether as solvent followed by acid hydrolysis will form corresponding ketone derivative.

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\ce{\underset{\text{Benzonitrile}}{C6H5 - C ≡ N} + \underset{\text{Alkyl magnesium Ketone derivative halide (Grignard reagent)}}{RMgX} ->[dry ether] R - C = NMgX ->[H3O+] \underset{\text{Ketone derivative}}{RCO - C6H5} + NH3 + Mg(X)OH}\\
\phantom{........................}|\\
\phantom{............................}\ce{C6H5}
\end{array}\]