Question

Ethyl isocyanide is obtained by treating ethyl chloride with:

• A. $NaCN$
• B. $AgCN$
• C. $KCN$
• D. Both $AgCN$ and $KCN$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $AgCN$

$C_2{H}_{5}Cl+AgCN\to C_2{H}_5-NC+AgCl$

Ethyl chloride reacts with $KCN/NaCN$ and alkyl cyanide forms.

But ethyl chloride reacts with $AgCN$ and isocyanide forms because in $NaCN/KCN$, the bonds are ionic between metal and $CN$, so carbon end is free to make bonds while $AgCN$ has a covalent bond in between them so carbon end not free.

Thus isocyanide is formed with$AgCN$.

Option B is correct.