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Question 36

Given below are two statements :
Statement I : C$$_2$$H$$_5$$OH and AgCN both can generate nucleophile.
Statement II : KCN and AgCN both will generate nitrile nucleophile with all reaction conditions.
Choose the most appropriate option :

Statement I says that both $$\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH}$$ and $$\text{AgCN}$$ can generate nucleophiles. Ethanol can generate the ethoxide ion ($$\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{O}^-$$), which is a nucleophile. Silver cyanide can generate the cyanide ion ($$\text{CN}^-$$), also a nucleophile. So Statement I is true.

Statement II says that both $$\text{KCN}$$ and $$\text{AgCN}$$ will generate a nitrile nucleophile (carbon-attack, giving $$-\text{CN}$$) under all reaction conditions. $$\text{KCN}$$ is ionic and provides free $$\text{CN}^-$$ ions that attack primarily through carbon to give nitriles. However, $$\text{AgCN}$$ is covalent with a strong Ag-C bond, so the nitrogen end is more available for attack, leading to isocyanide formation ($$-\text{NC}$$) rather than nitrile. Statement II is false.

Since Statement I is true and Statement II is false, the correct answer is option (1).

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