Question

AgCN reacts with haloalkanes to form isocyanide. Haloalkanes react with KCN to form alkyl cyanides as the main product. Why?

Options

• AgCN provides cyanide ions in solution.

• KCN is mainly covalent in nature.

• KCN provides cyanide ions in solution.

• AgCN is mainly ionic in nature.

Answer 1

KCN provides cyanide ions in solution.

Explanation:

AgCN is covalent in nature while KCN is ionic. So KCN produces CN⁻ in the solution. CN⁻ is an ambient nucleophile i.e. it can form bonds from both C and N atoms. KCN is an ionic compound so both C and N sides are available for the formation of a bond, but the C-C bond is stronger than the C-N bond so cyanide is formed. The AgCN is a covalent compound, so only the N side is available for CN to form a bond and thus isocyanide is formed.