What will be the substitution product formed when KNO2 reacts with an alkyl group?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The substitution product formed when KNO2 reacts with an alkyl group is alkyl nitrite. The reaction is as follows:
Where R is an alkyl group, X is a halogen atom, and KX is the potassium salt of the halogen atom.
The reaction proceeds through a nucleophilic substitution mechanism. The negatively charged oxygen atom of KNO2 attacks the alkyl halide, displacing the halogen atom. The resulting alkyl nitrite is a relatively unstable compound that can decompose to form nitrous oxide and the alkyl halide.