5046

In order to avoid the use of the very toxic HCN to prepare a cyanohydrin, the bisulfite addition product of the carbonyl compound can be formed and then converted to the cyanohydrin by using sodium cyanide.

(a) Provide a mechanism for this reaction

(b) What does this result tell you about the relative stabilities of cyanohydrins and bisulfite addition products?

5182

Propose a detailed mechanism for each of the following reactions:

(a)

(b)

(c)

5263

Suggest a mechanism for the following reaction: