Given below are two statements : one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R . Assertion A : Haloalkanes react with KCN to form alkyl cyanides as a main product while with AgCN form isocyanide as the main product. Reason R : KCN and AgCN both are highly ionic compounds. In the light of the above statement, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

Step-by-step solution

KCN is ionic in nature 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. Involved reaction is shown below: R - X → Substitution reaction R - CN + KX Alkyl halide Cyanide Reaction of alkyl halide with AgCN AgCN is mainly covalent in nature. Here only nitrogen is free to donate electron pairs,hence it forms isocyanide