Nitrile hydrolysis followed by carboxylic acid reduction Steps:

• Interpret (CH3)2CN as 2-methylpropanenitrile, (CH3)2CHC≡N.
• Hydrolyze with H+(aq) to form carboxylic acid X: (CH3)2CHCOOH.
• Name X as 2-methylpropanoic acid based on the longest chain and substituent.
• Reduce X with LiAlH4 to primary alcohol Y: (CH3)2CHCH2OH, where -COOH becomes -CH2OH. Why A is correct:
• 2-Methylpropanoic acid matches the structure from hydrolysis; LiAlH4 reduces -COOH to -CH2OH, defining a primary alcohol by the -CH2OH group attached to one carbon. Why the others are wrong:
• B: 3-Methylbutanoic acid implies (CH3)2CHCH2COOH, adding an extra CH2 not present; Y is primary, not tertiary.
• C: 3-Methylpropanoic acid is invalid naming for a 3-carbon chain; Y is primary, not secondary.
• D: 2-Methylpropanoic acid is correct for X, but Y is primary, not tertiary. Final answer: A