How do you make benzonitrile from Benzoylchloride?

To synthesize benzonitrile from benzoyl chloride, you can perform a nucleophilic substitution reaction using sodium cyanide (NaCN). In this reaction, the cyanide ion acts as a nucleophile, attacking the carbonyl carbon of benzoyl chloride, leading to the formation of benzonitrile after the elimination of hydrochloric acid (HCl). The overall reaction can be summarized as: benzoyl chloride + NaCN → benzonitrile + NaCl + HCl.