Question

Silver Nitrite

Hint:

Silver nitrite favors the formation of alkyl nitrites \( (R-ONO) \), whereas alkali metal nitrites \( (\text{NaNO}_2) \) form alkyl nitro compounds \( (R-NO_2) \).

Answer 1

When ethyl bromide reacts with silver nitrite (\(\text{AgNO}_2\)), ethyl nitrite is formed due to the ambident nature of the nitrite ion. \[ \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{Br} + \text{AgNO}_2 \rightarrow \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{ONO} + \text{AgBr} \]