Question

Given below are two statements:

Statement I: $C_2{H}_{5}OH$ and $AgCN$ both can generate nucleophiles.

Statement II: $KCN$ and $AgCN$ both will generate nitrile nucleophiles with all reaction conditions.

Choose the most appropriate option:

• A. Statement I is false but statement II is true
• B. Statement I is true but statement II is false
• C. Both statement I and statement II are false
• D. Both statement I and statement II are true

Answer 1

The correct option is B Statement I is true but statement II is false

Answer: (b)

$C_2{H}_{5}OH\text{and}AgCN$ can generate nucleophiles $C_2{H}_5{O}^{-}$ and $C{N}^{-}$ respectively.

$AgCN\text{\&}KCN$ both do not generate nitrite nucleophiles in all reaction conditions because cyanide is an ambidentate nucleophile.

In $AgCN$, the bond between Ag and C is predominantly covalent in nature, thus, C site is not available in case of AgCN. Hence, the lone pair of N acts as nucleophile site.

In $NaCN$, the bond between $Na$ and $C$ is ionic so negative charge on carbon acts as nucleophile site.