Ethyl cyanide to ethanoic acid:

Ethyl cyanide, also known as propionitrile, can be converted into ethanoic acid, also known as acetic acid, through a multi-step process involving several chemical reactions. The conversion of ethyl cyanide to ethanoic acid involves the incorporation of oxygen atoms and the transformation of the carbon-nitrogen triple bond into a carbon-oxygen double bond.

Step 1: Hydrolysis of ethyl cyanide to ethylamine and ethanoic acid
- In the presence of water and an acid catalyst, ethyl cyanide undergoes hydrolysis to form ethylamine and ethanoic acid.
- The acid catalyst typically used for this reaction is sulfuric acid (H2SO4).
- The hydrolysis reaction involves the breaking of the carbon-nitrogen triple bond and the addition of water molecules to the resulting intermediate.

Step 2: Oxidation of ethylamine to ethanal
- Ethylamine is oxidized to form ethanal (acetaldehyde) using an oxidizing agent such as potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) or potassium permanganate (KMnO4).
- The oxidation reaction involves the transfer of electrons from the amine group in ethylamine to the oxidizing agent, resulting in the formation of an iminium ion intermediate.
- The iminium ion is then hydrolyzed to produce ethanal.

Step 3: Oxidation of ethanal to ethanoic acid
- Ethanal is further oxidized to form ethanoic acid using an oxidizing agent such as chromic acid (H2CrO4) or potassium permanganate (KMnO4).
- The oxidation reaction involves the transfer of electrons from the aldehyde group in ethanal to the oxidizing agent, resulting in the formation of a carboxylic acid group.
- The final product of this reaction is ethanoic acid.

Summary:
1. Ethyl cyanide is hydrolyzed to form ethylamine and ethanoic acid.
2. Ethylamine is oxidized to ethanal.
3. Ethanal is further oxidized to ethanoic acid.

Please note that these reactions require specific reaction conditions, such as the use of appropriate catalysts, oxidizing agents, and reaction temperatures. The reaction conditions may vary depending on the specific procedures used in the laboratory or industrial settings.