What type of reaction occurs when 1-chloropropane reacts with sodium cyanide? (2
Practice Questions
Q1
What type of reaction occurs when 1-chloropropane reacts with sodium cyanide? (2023)
Elimination
Nucleophilic substitution
Addition
Redox
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What type of reaction occurs when 1-chloropropane reacts with sodium cyanide? (2023)
Step 1: Identify the reactants. We have 1-chloropropane, which has a chlorine atom attached to a propane chain, and sodium cyanide, which contains a cyanide ion (CN-).
Step 2: Understand what a nucleophilic substitution reaction is. In this type of reaction, a nucleophile (a species that donates an electron pair) attacks a carbon atom that is bonded to a leaving group (in this case, the chlorine atom).
Step 3: Recognize that the cyanide ion (CN-) is the nucleophile in this reaction. It will attack the carbon atom that is attached to the chlorine in 1-chloropropane.
Step 4: The chlorine atom is a leaving group. When the cyanide ion attacks the carbon, the chlorine atom leaves, and the cyanide ion takes its place.
Step 5: The result of this reaction is the formation of propanenitrile (also known as cyanopropane), where the chlorine atom has been replaced by the cyanide group.
