Question

Given below are two statements : Statement I : C₂H₅OH 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 :

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

Hint:

Ambident nucleophiles like $CN^-$ follow the rule: Ionic cyanide ($KCN/NaCN$) gives Nitrile, while Covalent cyanide ($AgCN$) gives Isocyanide.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Evaluate Statement I. \(C_2H_5OH\) acts as a weak nucleophile (via oxygen lone pairs), and \(AgCN\) provides the cyanide/isocyanide group. Both are sources of nucleophilic species. (Statement I is True).
Step 2: Evaluate Statement II. \(KCN\) is ionic and typically produces nitriles (\(R-CN\)). However, \(AgCN\) is primarily covalent; the lone pair on Nitrogen is more available for attack, typically producing isocyanides (\(R-NC\)). Therefore, they do not both generate nitrile nucleophiles under all conditions. (Statement II is False).