Assertion (A): $C_{2} H_{5} Br$ reacts with an alcoholic solution of potassium nitrite to give ethyl nitrite as the major product.
Reason (R): ${NO}_{2}^{-}$ is an ambident ion.

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(A) is true but (R) is false

Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)

Both (A) and (R) are false

Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)

answer is B.

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Detailed Solution

Reaction of ethyl chloride with ${KNO}_{2}$ ,

$C_{2} H_{5} Br + {KNO}_{2} \to C_{2} H_{5} {NO}_{2} + KBr$

Being ionic in nature, ${KNO}_{2}$ gives $K^{+}$ and ${N O}_{2}^{-}$ . This ${N O}_{2}^{-}$ attack as a nucleophile from the carbon side to the ethyl chloride to give an alkyl nitrite as a final product.

Reaction of ethyl chloride with ${A g N O}_{2}$ ,

$C_{2} H_{5} Br + {AgNO}_{2} \to C_{2} H_{5} ONO + AgBr$

Being covalent in nature, ${AgNO}_{2}$ does not give ${Ag}^{+}$ and ${NO}_{2}^{-}$ . So, ${AgNO}_{2}$ attack as a nucleophile from the nitrogen side to the ethyl chloride to give nitroethane as a final product. Also, since ${NO}_{2}^{-}$ can donate electrons from both sides (from nitrogen and oxygen), it is an ambident ion.