Chemistry - Halogen Derivative Question with Solution | TestHub

Potassium cyanide ($KCN$) is predominantly an ionic compound and provides cyanide ions ($C{N}^{-}$).

The cyanide ion is an ambidentate nucleophile, which can attack through either the carbon atom or the nitrogen atom.

Since the $C-C$ bond formed is stronger and more stable than the $C-N$ bond, the attack predominantly occurs through the carbon atom.

Therefore, the reaction of an alkyl halide ($R-X$) with $KCN$ yields an alkyl cyanide, which is also known as an alkyl nitrile, as the major product.

$R-X+KCN\to R-CN+KX$

Answer: Alkyl nitrile