Instructions: Consider the Data Below to Answer the Following Question(s)

Essay

Instructions: Consider the data below to answer the following question(s).
Cyanohydrins are important intermediates in the synthesis of a-hydroxycarboxylic acids from ketones and aldehydes. The nitrile functional group can be hydrolyzed by aqueous acid to yield a carboxylic acid. Nitriles can also be hydrolyzed to carboxylic acids using aqueous base. When a cyanohydrin is treated with aqueous base, however, the original carbonyl compound is isolated. Refer to instructions. Identify the electrophile and nucloephile in the reaction of benzaldehyde with hydrogen cyanide.