Valeric acid hydrolysis of n-butyl cyanide

Place 100 g. (105 ml.) of n-butyl cyanide (Section 111,113) and a solution of 92 g. of pure sodium hydroxide in 260 ml. of water in a 1500 ml. round-bottomed flask, attach a double surface condenser, and reflux 

Immediately the reaction is complete, introduce through the condenser 250 ml. of 50 per cent, sulphuric acid (by weight) whilst cooling the mixture in ice and water and stirring vigorously. Transfer the mixture to a separatory funnel, remove the ether layer, and extract the aqueous layer with three 50 ml. portions of ether. Cool the combined ether extracts by the addition of ice, and add cautiously 100 ml. of 25 per cent, sodium hydroxide solution run off the aqueous layer and repeat the 

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