The following two reactions give the same foul smelling product $Z$.

$$
C_2H_5Cl \xrightarrow{X} Z
$$

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/ddr1kuyb3/image/upload/v1786124170/questions/tizea2duu1diimkwfhad.png)

$X$ and $Z$, respectively, are :

Question

The following two reactions give the same foul smelling product $Z$.

$$
C_2H_5Cl \xrightarrow{X} Z
$$

![](https://res.cloudinary.com/ddr1kuyb3/image/upload/v1786124170/questions/tizea2duu1diimkwfhad.png)

$X$ and $Z$, respectively, are :

Accepted Answer

A. 1. When an alkyl halide reacts with **$AgCN$**, the reaction proceeds through the **nitrogen atom** of the cyanide ion (because $Ag^+$ makes the $C-N$ bond more covalent, and nitrogen becomes the more reactive nucleophilic site), forming an **isocyanide**.

$$
C_2H_5Cl + AgCN \rightarrow C_2H_5-NC + AgCl
$$

2. This isocyanide, **ethyl isocyanide ($C_2H_5NC$)**, is well known for its strong, unpleasant (foul) smell.

3. **Therefore**, since both reactions in the question give the same foul-smelling product, $X$ must be **$AgCN$** and $Z$ must be **$C_2H_5NC$**.

4. In contrast, **$KCN$** reacts through the **carbon atom** of the cyanide ion, giving a **nitrile** ($C_2H_5CN$), which does not have a foul odor.

5. **Hence**, the answer is **option A**.

The following two reactions give the same foul smelling product ZZZ. C2H5Cl→XZC_2H_5Cl \xrightarrow{X} ZC2​H5​ClX​Z XXX and ZZZ, respectively, are :

The following two reactions give the same foul smelling product $Z$ .
$C_2H_5Cl \xrightarrow{X} Z$

$X$ and $Z$ , respectively, are :