question_answer

The reaction of primary alkyl halide with nitrite salt produces both \[RN{{O}_{2}}\]and \[RONO\]. Account for this behaviour.

Answer:

                Nitrite ion is an ambident nucleophile \[[{{O}^{-}}\,-\overset{\,\,\centerdot \,\,\centerdot }{\mathop{N}}\,=O]\]. Therefore, it can attack as nucleophile through both oxygen andnitrogen atoms and leads to the formation of two compounds.