Carboxylic acid from Nitriles and Amides

$$\text{R-CN} \xrightarrow{\text{H}_3\text{O}^+, \, \Delta} \text{R-CONH}_2 \xrightarrow{\text{H}_3\text{O}^+, \, \Delta} \text{R-COOH} + \text{NH}_4^+$$

Concept: Complete progressive nucleophilic addition of water across a carbon-nitrogen triple bond under hot acidic conditions. The nitrile group hydrolyzes first to an intermediate amide before splitting entirely into the acid molecule and an ammonium byproduct.