Base hydrolysis of nitriles yields carboxylate anions

Steps:

• Identify reactions: A is alkaline hydrolysis of CH3CN; B is acidic hydrolysis; C is reaction of ethanol with Na; D is ethanol with NaOH.
• Determine products: Alkaline hydrolysis gives CH3COO⁻ Na⁺; acidic gives CH3COOH; Na/EtOH gives CH3CH2O⁻ Na⁺ + H2; NaOH/EtOH gives no reaction.
• Check for organic anion: Anions are CH3COO⁻ (A) and CH3CH2O⁻ (C); others neutral.
• Assess yield: Alkaline hydrolysis efficient for nitriles; C yields alkoxide but question specifies "good yield" context favors A.

Why A is correct:

• Alkaline hydrolysis of nitriles follows CH3CN + 2NaOH → CH3COO⁻ Na⁺ + NH3 + NaOH (excess), producing carboxylate anion per nucleophilic addition-elimination mechanism.

Why the others are wrong:

• B: Acidic hydrolysis yields neutral CH3COOH, not anion.
• C: Produces alkoxide anion but typically without heating and lower specificity for "organic anion" in context.
• D: No reaction; ethanol inert to dilute NaOH, no anion formed.

Final answer: A