[LordDelta]

Hey everyone,

I received the problem: HCN + NaOCH₂CH₃ 

I am not sure how the reaction proceeds. My idea is that the Na⁺ remains a cation on its own and an electron pair on the oxygen will reach out to the hydrogen in hydrogen cyanide and pull that away resulting in a delta positive charge on the carbon in the cyanide ion. Then the carbon and sodium ions will interact ionically resulting the products:

NaCN and HOCH₂CH₃ (Sodium cyanide and Ethanol)

Please let me know if I'm right! Help is much appreciated!

[Dan]

resulting in a delta positive charge on the carbon in the cyanide ion.

You need to reconsider this.