Would HCN (liquid) react with halogenoalkanes?

  • Thread starter Thread starter yucheng
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
Halogenoalkanes undergo nucleophilic substitution when refluxed with HCN in an ethanolic KCN solution, where the cyanide ion (CN^-) acts as the nucleophile. In contrast, pure HCN does not provide the necessary nucleophile for the reaction, as it lacks the cyanide ions present in the ethanolic KCN solution. Therefore, without the presence of KCN, no reaction would occur between halogenoalkanes and pure HCN.
yucheng
Messages
232
Reaction score
57
Halogenoalkanes would undergo nucleophilic substitution if reluxed with HCN in ethanolic KCN solution. We would say that the cyanide ion, ##\text{CN}^-## ion is the nucleophile, while the HCN molecule is not the nucleophile, right? Because if we were to reflux halogenoalkanes with pure HCN (not ethanolic HCN as we would not want the cyanide ions), without KCN, I suppose no reaction would occur?
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org


Yes, you are correct. In this scenario, the cyanide ion is the nucleophile and the HCN molecule is not. The presence of ethanolic KCN allows for the formation of the cyanide ion, which is necessary for the nucleophilic substitution reaction to occur. Without ethanolic KCN, pure HCN would not produce the necessary nucleophile and therefore no reaction would occur with the halogenoalkanes.
 
Thread 'How to make Sodium Chlorate by Electrolysis of salt water?'
I have a power supply for electrolysis of salt water brine, variable 3v to 6v up to 30 amps. Cathode is stainless steel, anode is carbon rods. Carbon rod surface area 42" sq. the Stainless steel cathode should be 21" sq. Salt is pure 100% salt dissolved into distilled water. I have been making saturated salt wrong. Today I learn saturated salt is, dissolve pure salt into 150°f water cool to 100°f pour into the 2 gallon brine tank. I find conflicting information about brine tank...
Engineers slash iridium use in electrolyzer catalyst by 80%, boosting path to affordable green hydrogen https://news.rice.edu/news/2025/engineers-slash-iridium-use-electrolyzer-catalyst-80-boosting-path-affordable-green Ruthenium is also fairly expensive (a year ago it was about $490/ troy oz, but has nearly doubled in price over the past year, now about $910/ troy oz). I tracks prices of Pt, Pd, Ru, Ir and Ru. Of the 5 metals, rhodium (Rh) is the most expensive. A year ago, Rh and Ir...
Back
Top