Reactions of nitriles

[aviridiane]

There's a question i did which got me thinking (I have tried searching a reason for it but to no avail) so is it possible for CH3CH2CN(l) + NaOH(aq) to produce ammonia gas when heated?

As far as I know, it's amide which produces ammonia gas when it is refluxed with NaOH(aq).

So does that mean somehow or other, CH3CH2CN(l) is turned into amide?

If so, how? and... if not? how is it possible that the nitrile compound releases NH3(g)?

 

If it's possible, please insert the chemical equations/mechanisms too. Thanks

[John Cuthber]

Alkaline hydrolysis of nitriles gives the amide then (with addition of more water) the acid and ammonia.

RCN +H2O --> RCOHN2

RCONH2 + H2O --> RCOOH +NH3

Obviously, the acid reacts with the NaOH to give the Na salt.

[aviridiane]

ok thanks for the help