1-Chloropropane reacts with a reagent X to give compound Y as the major product. Compound Y , upon catalytic hydrogenation ( H ₂/ Ni ), yields N-methylpropan-1-amine. Identify X and Y .

Step-by-step solution

The final product is N-methylpropan-1-amine ( CH ₃ CH ₂ CH ₂ NHCH ₃ ), which is a secondary amine. Catalytic hydrogenation of alkyl isocyanides yields secondary amines containing a methyl group, whereas reduction of alkyl cyanides yields primary amines. Therefore, the intermediate compound Y must be propyl isocyanide ( CH ₃ CH ₂ CH ₂ NC ). To obtain propyl isocyanide as the major product from 1-chloropropane ( CH ₃ CH ₂ CH ₂ Cl ), the reagent X used must be silver cyanide ( AgCN ). AgCN is predominantly covalent, m