Mechanism: This reaction has been found to proceed by two different
mechanims which are described below:
(a) Substitution nucleophilic bimolecular (SN2)
The reaction between CH3Cl and hydroxide ion to yield methanol and
chloride ion follows a second order kinetics, i e , the rate depends
upon the concentration of both the reactants Haloalkanes react with KCN to form alkyl cyanides as main product
while AgCN forms isocyanides as the chief product