Question

Haloalkanes react with KCN to form alkyl cyanides as main product while AgCN forms isocyanides as main product. Explain.

Answer 1

KCN is predominantly ionic and provides cyanide ions in solution.

Answer 2

Answer:

KCN is predominantly ionic and provides cyanide ions in the solution. although carbon and nitrogen can donate electron attack takes place mainly through carbon and not through nitrogen because carbon carbon bond is more stable than carbon nitrogen bond. AgCN is covalent and nitrogen is free to donate electron to form isocyanide as the chief product.