Nitriles can be formed by heating halogenoalkanes with potassium cyanide in ethanol.

For example, chloroethane reacts with KCN to produce propanenitrile:

CH₃CH₂Cl + KCN ➔ CH₃CH₂CN + KCl 

The reaction requires an alcohol and room temperature.

The type of reaction is nucleophilic addition-elimination.

Esters can be hydrolysed to carboxlic acids and alcohols by the addition of dilute acid (e.g. H₂SO₄), or dilute alkali (e.g. NaOH), and heating under reflux.

The reaction requires ammonia or an amine and room temperature.

(Cold) water 

One of the following:

1. Thionyl chloride (SOCl₂).
2. Phosphorus(III) chloride (PCl₃).
3. Phosphorus(V) chloride (PCl₅).

Acylarenes can be formed by the Fridel-Crafts acylation of benzene. Benzene undergoes electrophilic substitution when reacted with an acyl chloride in the presence of a halogen carrier e.g. AlCl₃.

For example, benzene reacts with ethanoyl chloride in the presence of an AlCl₃ catalyst to produce phenylethanone:

C₆H₆ + CH₃COCl ➔ C₆H₅COCH₃ + HCl

Alkylarenes can be formed by the Fridel-Crafts alkylation of benzene. Benzene undergoes electrophilic substitution when reacted with a halogenoalkane in the presence of a halogen carrier e.g. AlCl₃.

For example, benzene reacts with chloroethene in the presence of an AlCl₃ catalyst to produce ethylbenzene:

C₆H₆ + C₂H₅Cl ➔ C₆H₅C₂H₅ + HCl

Nitroarenes can be reduced to aromatic amines by the addition of tin and concentrated hydrochloric acid and heating under reflux. Then, sodium hydroxide is added to obtain the free amine.

The reaction requires concentrated nitric acid and a concentrated sulfuric acid catalyst and heat.

The type of reaction is electrophilic substitution.

Multiple subsitutitons occur if the temperature rises above ≈60°C.

Nitriles can be hydrolysed to carboxylic acids by heating with diute aqueous acid e.g. HCl.

For example, ethanenitrile reacts with HCl_(aq) to form ethanoic acid:

CH₃CN + 2H₂O + HCl ➔ CH₃COOH + NH₄Cl

Hydroxynitriles can be formed by heating aldehydes or ketones with hydrogen cyanide in the presence of a potassium cynaide catalyst

For example, ethanal reacts with HCN to produce propanenitrile:

CH₃CHO + HCN ➔ CH₃CH(OH)CN

The reaction requires a carboxylic acid, heat and a concentrated acid catalyst such as H₂SO₄. Alternatively, an acyl chloride can be used instead of a carboxylic acid.

Nitriles can be reduced to amines by heating with hydrogen in the presence of a nickel catalyst or by using LiAlH₄ in dry ether.

For example, ethanenitrile reacts with H₂ to form ethylamine:

CH₃CN + 2H₂ ➔ CH₃CH₂NH₂

The reaction requires a halogen and a halogen carrier such as AlCl₃ or AlBr₃.

The type of reaction is electrophilic substitution.