During the preparation of amines via Hofmann's ammonolysis of alkyl halides, how can the reaction parameters be strictly manipulated to isolate the primary () amine as the overwhelming major product?

Question

During the preparation of amines via Hofmann's ammonolysis of alkyl halides, how can the reaction parameters be strictly manipulated to isolate the primary ($1^\circ$) amine as the overwhelming major product?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. The reaction is a sequential nucleophilic substitution (). Because the resulting alkylamine is a stronger nucleophile than ammonia, over-alkylation is rapid. By maintaining a massive excess of ammonia, the statistical probability ensures an alkyl halide molecule will almost exclusively encounter an ammonia molecule rather than a newly formed amine, securing the amine as the major product.

💡 Solution & Explanation

Practice 22,000+ questions like this