MHT CET202620 April 2026Morning ShiftChemistryHaloalkanes and HaloarenesActual
Which reagent is used to convert Alkyl halide into Alkyl nitrite ?
Options
- ASilver nitrite
- BSilver cyanide
- CPotassium nitrite
- DSilver carboxylate
Correct answer
C. Potassium nitrite
Step-by-step solution
Potassium nitrite ( KNO₂ ) is an ionic compound and provides nitrite ions ( NO₂^- ) in the solution. The nitrite ion is an ambidentate nucleophile with two donor sites: oxygen and nitrogen. Since the K-O bond is ionic, the negative charge on the oxygen atom is available for nucleophilic attack on the alkyl halide. This results in the formation of an alkyl nitrite ( R-O-N=O ) as the major product. In contrast, silver nitrite ( AgNO₂ ) has a covalent Ag-O bond, making the lone pair on the nitrogen atom act as the nuc