Reactions of Co-ordinated Cyanide

It has been known for many years that the reaction of cyanide ion with alkylating agents shows a dependency on the presence of metal ions. The classic application of this is the formation of nitriles by reaction with potassium cyanide and isonitriles from the reaction with silver cyanide (Fig. 5-59). 

5 Stabilisation of Anions and the Reactions of Co-ordinated Ligands with Electrophiles 

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