What is the conversion of methyl iodide to acetic acid?
For the conversion of methyl iodide to acetic acid, follow step by step procedure from the basic organic reactions.
What is to be done?
Methyl iodide has the formula CH3I while acetic acid has the formula CH3COOH. In this reaction, -I is replaced by -COOH. There is need of increasing number of carbon atoms to two carbon atoms in product from one carbon atom in reactant.
What are the steps to follow?
First step proceeds with increasing one carbon atom in CH3I. By reacting methyl iodide with potassium cyanide (KCN), one carbon atom increased, i.e., Methyl cyanide (CH3CN) is formed and potassium iodide (KI) is the side product.
CH3I + KCN → CH3CN + KI
Now, in second step, methyl cyanide (CH3CN) is converted to acetic acid (CH3COOH). On complete hydrolysis of methyl cyanide (CH3CN), acetic acid will form.
CH3CN + H3O+ → CH3COOH
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