Which of the following starting materials can be effectively converted into ethanamine () in a singl — Amines Chemistry Question
Question
Which of the following starting materials can be effectively converted into ethanamine ($CH_3CH_2NH_2$) in a single standard reaction step?
💡 Solution & Explanation
(A) Reduction of acetamide (2 carbons) with $LiAlH_4$ converts the carbonyl to methylene, yielding ethanamine. (B) Complete reduction of methyl cyanide (2 carbons) adds hydrogen across the triple bond, yielding ethanamine. (C) Hofmann bromamide degradation of propanamide (3 carbons) excises the carbonyl carbon as carbonate, stepping down the chain to yield ethanamine (2 carbons). (D) Reduction of nitroethane directly converts the nitro group to an amine group, yielding ethanamine.