Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R. Assertion A: Reaction of alkyl halides with KCN predominantly gives alkyl cyanides, while reaction with AgCN predominantly gives alkyl isocyanides. Reason R: KCN is predominantly ionic and provides cyanide ions in solution, whereas AgCN is predominantly covalent and only the nitrogen atom has a lone pair available fo

Step-by-step solution

Assertion A is correct. Alkyl halides react with KCN to form alkyl cyanides (nitriles) as major products, while with AgCN they form alkyl isocyanides. Reason R is also correct and explains A. KCN is an ionic compound and provides cyanide ions in solution. The ambident cyanide ion can attack through both C and N, but attack through C is preferred as the C-C bond is stronger than the C-N bond. AgCN is predominantly covalent, so the carbon atom is not free to donate electrons. The nucleophilic attack therefore occurs