Question

Ammonolysis of Alkyl halides followed by the treatment with NaOH solution can be used to prepare primary, secondary and tertiary amines. The purpose of NaOH in the reaction is

<!--td {border: 1px solid #cccccc;}br {mso-data-placement:same-cell;}--> JEE MAIN 2021

• A. To activate $N{H}_3$ used in the reaction
• B. To increase the reactivity of alkyl halide
• C. To remove basic impurities
• D. To remove acidic impurities

Answer 1

The correct option is D To remove acidic impurities

Alkyl and benzyl halides on reaction with an alcoholic solution of ammonia (nucleophile) undergoes nucleophilic substitution of the halogen atom by the amino group $(-N{H}_2)$. This process is known as ammonolysis.
General reaction is as follows:
$N{H}_3+R-X\to RN{H}_3^{+}{X}^{-}$

Then, the substituted ammonium salt reacts with strong base to give free amine.

General reaction is as follows:
$RN{H}_3^{+}{X}^{-}+NaOH\to RN{H}_2+NaX+H_{2}O$

Thus, it removes the acidic impurities as salt 'NaX'

Hence, option (c) is correct.