Why is the Gabriel phthalimide synthesis strictly unsuitable for the laboratory synthesis of primary — Amines Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

The second step of the Gabriel synthesis requires the phthalimide anion to nucleophilically attack an alkyl halide via $S_N2$. Aryl halides possess partial double bond character at the $C-X$ bond due to resonance, rendering them inert to nucleophilic substitution.