Which mechanism accounts for the reaction of benzyl chloride with sodium cyanide to form cyanomethylbenzene (phenylacetonitrile, PhCH₂CN)?

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The reaction of benzyl chloride with sodium cyanide to form cyanomethylbenzene is an example of a bimolecular nucleophilic substitution (SN2) mechanism. In this process, the cyanide ion acts as a nucleophile and attacks the electrophilic carbon atom in benzyl chloride, displacing the chloride ion. This reaction occurs at the benzylic position, which is directly adjacent to the aromatic ring, and is facilitated by the partial positive charge on the carbon due to its attachment to the electronegative chlorine atom.

Which Mechanism Accounts for the Reaction of Benzyl Chloride with Sodium