Which of the following is the major organic product when acetone, CH$_3$COCH$_3$, is allowed to react with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a catalytic amount of sodium cyanide?

The correct answer is (B).

However, I got this answer without using the catalytic sodium cyanide. In my proposed mechanism, the dissociated proton from $\ce{HCN}$ activates the carbonyl, which facilitates the nucleophilic attack of $\ce{CN-}$

What role does the $\ce{ NaCN }$play?

Which of the following is the major organic product when acetone is allowed to react with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a catalytic amount of sodium cyanide?

The correct answer is (B).

However, I got this answer without using the catalytic sodium cyanide. In my proposed mechanism, the dissociated proton from $\ce{HCN}$ activates the carbonyl, which facilitates the nucleophilic attack of $\ce{CN-}$.

What role does the $\ce{NaCN}$ play?

Which of the following is the major organic product when acetone, CH$_3$COCH$_3$, is allowed to react with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a catalytic amount of sodium cyanide?

The correct answer is (B), rather unsurprisingly. However, I got this answer without using the catalytic sodium cyanide. In my proposed mechanism, the dissociated proton from HCN activates the carbonyl, which facilitates the nucleophilic attack of CN$^-$.

What role does the NaCN play?

Which of the following is the major organic product when acetone, CH$_3$COCH$_3$, is allowed to react with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a catalytic amount of sodium cyanide?

The correct answer is (B).

However, I got this answer without using the catalytic sodium cyanide. In my proposed mechanism, the dissociated proton from $\ce{HCN}$ activates the carbonyl, which facilitates the nucleophilic attack of $\ce{CN-}$

What role does the $\ce{ NaCN }$play?

Which of the following is the major organic product when acetone, CH$_3$COCH$_3$, is allowed to react with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a catalytic amount of sodium cyanide?

The correct answer is (B), rather unsurprisingly. The CN$^-$ attacks the carbonyl, giving rise to a tetrahedral intermediate. The oxygen anion grabs a proton from HCN, regenerating CN$^-$ and yielding (B).

Which of the following is the major organic product when acetone, CH$_3$COCH$_3$, is allowed to react with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a catalytic amount of sodium cyanide?

The correct answer is (B), rather unsurprisingly. However, I got this answer without using the catalytic sodium cyanide. In my proposed mechanism, the dissociated proton from HCN activates the carbonyl, which facilitates the nucleophilic attack of CN$^-$.

What role does the NaCN play?