Predict the major product(s) of the following reaction.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The reaction is a nucleophilic substitution reaction of an alkyl halide with NaCN. NaCN is a strong nucleophile and will displace the halogen to form a cyano (CN) group. The reaction will proceed via an SN2 mechanism, meaning that the nucleophile will attack the carbon while the leaving group (halogen) is leaving.

In the given compound, there are two possible sites for substitution, the primary halogen (I) and the secondary halogen (IV). However, the primary halogen will undergo substitution much faster than the secondary halogen because it is more reactive towards nucleophilic substitution reactions. Therefore, the major product will be I. The other choices (II, III, and V) are either not formed or formed in minor amounts due to steric hindrance or unfavorable reactions.

Predict the Major Product(s) of the Following Reaction