NEETChemistryHaloalkanes and Haloarenes
Give reason why haloalkanes react with KCN to form alkyl cyanides as main product while AgCN forms isocyanides as the chief product.
Options
- AKCN is a strong nucleophile that attacks the carbon atom bearing the halogen, leading to the formation of alky
- BKCN is predominantly ionic and provides cyanide ions in solution. Although both carbon and nitrogen atoms are
- CThe high reactivity of silver ions in AgCN promotes the formation of isocyanides as the major product.
- DThe choice between alkyl cyanides and isocyanides as the product depends on the reaction temperature, with low
Correct answer
B. KCN is predominantly ionic and provides cyanide ions in solution. Although both carbon and nitrogen atoms are
Step-by-step solution
Correct Option is : (B) KCN is predominantly ionic and provides cyanide ions in solution. Although both carbon and nitrogen atoms are in a position to donate electron pairs, the attack takes place mainly through carbon atom and not through nitrogen atom since C—C bond is more stable than C—N bond. However, AgCN is mainly covalent in nature and nitrogen is free to donate electron pair forming isocyanide as the main product.