Nitrile formation on benzene ring

Can someone explain why a H2SO4 catalyst is needed for this reaction

In the book it talks about forming nitriles from haloalkanes and this required NaCN and to be in ethanol

So why is a catalyst needed?

Reply 1

mxlik7123

13

Original post by Hollymae764

Can someone explain why a H2SO4 catalyst is needed for this reaction

In the book it talks about forming nitriles from haloalkanes and this required NaCN and to be in ethanol

So why is a catalyst needed?

Write out the equation. Im pretty sure h2so4 is the catalyst in this mechanism as it is reformed at the end.