MHT CET20255 May 2025Evening ShiftChemistryHaloalkanes and HaloarenesActual
Which of the following reagents is used in the preparation of nitroalkane from haloalkane?
Options
- APotassium cyanide
- BSodium nitrite
- CPotassium nitrite
- DSilver nitrite
Correct answer
D. Silver nitrite
Step-by-step solution
Haloalkanes undergo nucleophilic substitution with nitrite ions ( NO ₂^- ), which are ambident nucleophiles capable of attacking through either oxygen or nitrogen atoms. Alkali metal nitrites like KNO₂ and NaNO₂ are predominantly ionic, with oxygen's higher electronegativity making it the preferred nucleophilic site, yielding alkyl nitrites: R–X + KNO₂ R–O–N=O + KX. Silver nitrite (AgNO₂ ) is covalent, with the Ag–O bond reducing oxygen's nucleophilicity and favoring nitrogen attack, producing nitroalkanes: R–X + A