Step 1: Understanding the Concept
The Stephen reaction converts a nitrile into an aldehyde.
First the nitrile is reduced to an aldimine hydrochloride, which is then hydrolysed.
Step 2: Reagent
The reducing system is stannous chloride, \(\text{SnCl}_{2}\), with hydrochloric acid.
\(\text{R-C}\equiv\text{N}+2[\text{H}]\xrightarrow{\text{SnCl}_{2}/\text{HCl}}\text{R-CH=NH}\xrightarrow{\text{H}_{3}\text{O}^{+}}\text{R-CHO}\)
Step 3: Conclusion
So the reagent in Stephen reaction is \(\text{SnCl}_{2}\) and HCl.
Final Answer:
SnCl2 and HCl are used in the Stephen reaction.
\[ \boxed{\text{(C) }\text{SnCl}_{2}\text{ and HCl}} \]