are not hydrolysed by alkalies. However they are hydrolysed with dilute mineral acids to give primary amines and formic acids. NC + 2H O acid NH + H COOH Methylamine Formicacid Methyl isocyanide . Reduction: When reduced catalytically (or) by nascent hydrogen, they give secondary amines.
NC + [H] Na / C H OH (or) Ni / H NH Methyl isocyanide Dimethylamine . Isomerisation: When Alkyl isocyanides and heated at C, they change into the more stable, isomeric cyanides Heat C