expain why haloalkanes give KCN (alc) nd isocyanide with AgCN(alc)
Answers
So, CN- gives alkyl cyanide by forming a C-C bond due to more preferred soft-soft interaction. AgCN, on the other hand is a covalent compound and it does not dissociate easily to give CN-. In this case, the attacking centre will be N-atom, as it is softer as compared to the N-atom in KCN.
#CAN THIS BE A REACTION??????????
@SNEHASINGH
Answer:
KCN is an ionic compound so it provides CN⁻ ions in solution
KCN ----> K⁺ ₊ CN⁻
CN⁻ is an ambident nucleophile in which both C and N atoms are free to donate electron pair and can attack at nucleophilic center. But C-C bond is stronger than C-N bond therefore the attack of CN⁻ nucleophile is mostly through C atom and hence alkyl cyanides are obtained as main product on treating alkyl halide with alcoholic KCN solution.
On the other hand AgCN is covalent in nature .
AgCN----> Ag-CΞN
So only N stom can donate its lone pair of electrons. Therefore AgCN attacks at nucleophilic center through N atom and hence alkyl isocyanides are obtained as main product on treating alkyl halide with alcoholic AgCN solution.
R-X + KCN (alc) ----> R-CN + KX
R-X + AgCN (alc) ----> R-NC +AgX
Explanation: