Question #0a35a
1 Answer
Nov 27, 2017
The halide will preferentially bind to the silver, and the cyanide functional group will attach to the organic compound.
Explanation:
The organic fragment is connected to the isocyanide group via the nitrogen atom, not via the carbon.
RX + AgCN -> R - N ≡ C + AgX
See also this excellent description:
https://socratic.org/questions/why-does-hcn-give-cn-while-agcn-gives-isocyanide
http://gbdong.cm.utexas.edu/seminar/old/Isocyanide%20Chemistry_Zack.pdf