Give a balanced chemical equation to convert methyl cyanide to ethyl alcohol.

To convert methyl cyanide to ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, we can start by reducing the cyanide to primary amine using a strong reducing agent. From that primary amine we will form a diazonium salt which we can use differently depending upon the required product. Here, the required product is ethanol which is an alcohol. We know that alcohols contain –OH functional groups, therefore we can add water to this diazonium salt and it will give us ethanol. CH 3 - C ≡ N + 4 H → Na / C 2 H 5 OH CH 3 - CH 2 - NH 2 → NaNO 2 / HCl CH 3 - CH 2 - N 2 + Cl - → H 2 O C 2 H 5 OH

Arrange the following in the increasing order of their basic strength: C 2 H 5 NH 2 , C 6 H 5 NH 2 , ( C 2 H 5 ) 2 NH .

Basicity of amines depends on the electron density on nitrogen atom. It means that those group which will have donating nature will increase the electron density. C 2 H 5 NH 2 - This amine has one alkyl group which shows +I effect therefore it will increase the electron density on nitrogen atom. C 2 H 5 2 NH - This amine contain two alkyl group which show +I effect therefore it will increase the electron density on nitrogen atom. But there is more electron density on the nitrogen atom due to two +I groups. Hence, it is more stronger base than C 2 H 5 NH 2 . C 6 H 5 NH 2 - In aniline there is one benzene group. Benzene shows resonance effect due to which it takes the electrons form the nitrogen and hence there is less electron density on the nitrogen atom. Therefore, it is the weakest base among the three. The increasing order of basic strength given organic compounds: C 6 H 5 NH 2 < C 2 H 5 NH 2 < ( C 2 H 5 ) 2 NH

Give balanced chemical equations for the following reactions: Phenol is treated with ice cold alkaline solution of benzene diazonium chloride.

Phenol is treated with ice cold alkaline solution of benzene diazonium chloride to give orange-yellow Azo dye ( N = N linkage) compound. Benzene diazonium chloride on reaction with phenol in weakly basic medium gives p-Hydroxyazobenzene which is an orange dye. This is an example of the coupling reaction.