Question

An inorganic compound producing an organic compound on heating is:

• A. Sodamide
• B. Ammonium cyanate
• C. Potassium cyanide
• D. None of these

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Ammonium cyanate

The explanation for the correct option:

(B) Ammonium cyanate (an inorganic compound) on heating gave an organic compound called urea.

• $\underset{(\mathrm{Ammonium}\mathrm{cyanate})}{{{\mathrm{NH}}_4}^{+}{\mathrm{CNO}}^{-}}\stackrel{\mathrm{Heat}}{\to }\underset{\left(\mathrm{Urea}\right)}{{\mathrm{NH}}_2{\mathrm{CONH}}_2}$
• This synthesis was carried out by Wohler, a German chemist known as Wohler synthesis.
• 

The explanation for the incorrect option:

Option A:

• Sodium amide ${\mathrm{NaNH}}_2$is mainly used as a strong base in organic chemistry, often in liquid ammonia solution.
• It is the reagent of choice for the drying of ammonia (liquid or gaseous).
• One of the main advantages to the use of sodium amide is that it mainly functions as a nucleophile.

Option C:

• Potassium cyanide is a highly toxic inorganic substance with the general formula$\mathrm{KCN}$.
• It is generally prepared by the reaction of hydrogen cyanide $\mathrm{HCN}$ and potassium hydroxide$\mathrm{KOH}$.

Hence, option (B) is correct.