[linh_ngt]

Hello everyone. This is the first time I register on this forum. Actually, I have known abt this forum already but I just read and never send or post anything on this.
Now, I would like to ask sb about the reaction of KCN and paraformaldehyde. What is the mechanism of this? When I did this experiment, after mix KCN and paraformaldehyde and stirre on 4hrs; I continue to put H2SO4 6.5N to get pH =2-3. At last, I put slowly Na2CO3 on the mixture to get pH =5. I just follow my boss's guidance and I get confused abt this reaction, but I don't want to ask my boss
Hopefully you guys can help me or share with me some helpful documents or books about the mechanism of organic reactions?
Thank you so much!!!!!

[Telamond]

Either you're trying to do some kind of Cannizzaro reaction or some kind of Benzoin condensation; but for the latter you need a benzaldehyde, which you don't have.

The reason you're using paraformaldehyde is because formaldehyde is otherwise a gas, this is a polymer that is a solid and can be weighed.

[Honclbrif]

Sounds like you'd get a rather unpleasant mess. Why is he having you do this? Surely if you're messing around with stuff as dangerous as cyanide and formaldehyde your boss gave you a purpose.

[discodermolide]

Sounds like you'd get a rather unpleasant mess. Why is he having you do this? Surely if you're messing around with stuff as dangerous as cyanide and formaldehyde your boss gave you a purpose.

Perhaps he is trying to make a cyanohydrin of formaldehyde?
Certainly not this way. As you said you will get a mess.

[orgopete]

It's an Organic Synthesis prep, see reference herein.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycolonitrile