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JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3o1077

Acetaldehyde is treated with (i) $NaCN$ / $H X_{2} SO X_{4}$ (aq, cold); (ii) $H X_{3} O X^{+}$ , heat. The final product is

A3-hydroxypropanoic acid
B2-hydroxypropanoic acid (lactic acid)
Cpropanoic acid
D2-oxopropanoic acid

Answer: B

CN X^{-}

adds to

CH X_{3} CHO

to give the cyanohydrin

CH X_{3} CH (OH) CN

. Acid hydrolysis of the nitrile converts

- CN

to

- COOH

, leaving the OH untouched:

CH X_{3} CH (OH) COOH

.

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