Question

Account for the following:

Haloalkanes react with \[\ce{NaCN}\] to form both cyanides and isocyanides.

Answer 1

\[\ce{Na+CN-}\] is predominantly ionic and provides cyanide ions in solution. Thus, both carbon and nitrogen atoms are in a position to donate electron pairs. Therefore, haloalkanes reacts with NaCN to form both cyanides and isocyanide.