A carbonyl compound reacts with hydrogen to form a cyanohydrin which on hydrolysis forms a racemic mixture of α-hydroxy acids. The carbonyl compound is:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
Acetaldehyde reacts with hydrogen cyanide (HCN) to form cyanohydrin {CH3CH(OH)CN} which on hydrolysis forms a racemic mixture of α− hydroxy acid {CH3CH(OH)COOH}
As the cyanohydrin of acetaldehyde contains chiral centre so we will get racemic mixture.