How do the products differ when ethyl bromide reacts separately with KCN and AgCN?
KCN is predominantly , ionic and therefore , both C and N atoms is available for the electron donation but the reaction occurs through carbon as C-C bonds are stronger than C- N bond, therefore the attack occurs through the carbon atom of the cyanide group forming alkyl cyanides as the main product.
C2H5Br +KCN --> C2H5CN +KBr
C2H5Br + AgCN ---> C2H5NC