[Isolde]

I am having a little difficulty with this multistep synthesis/mechanism problem. The goal is to take bromomethyl benzene, use NaCN as the reagent, and figure out the product. I remember my professor going over a cyanohydrin reaction with ketones and aldehydes. Would this be nucleophilic addition as well? Where would it add?

[ooosh]

It's a substitution reaction,not  addition.

[Isolde]

Thanks! I don't know why I thought it was the other way around. xD

[kingsfan]

Thanks! I don't know why I thought it was the other way around. xD

You will get corresponding nitrile