Question

What is Stephen's reaction?

Answer 1

Stephen reaction

• Stephen reaction is called as stephen reduction reaction or stephen aldehyde synthesis.
• In this reaction, the alkyl nitrile is reduced to its respective imine in the presence of stannous chloride $\left({\mathrm{SnCl}}_2\right)$ and hydrochloride acid $\left(\mathrm{HCl}\right)$ to give aldehyde as the product.

Chemical Reaction of Stephen reaction

• The general Stephen reaction is as follows,
• $\mathrm{RCN}+{\mathrm{SnCl}}_2+\mathrm{HCl}\to \mathrm{RCH}=\mathrm{NH}\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{O}}^{+}}{\to }\mathrm{RCHO}$
• Methyl nitrile $({\mathrm{CH}}_3-\mathrm{CN})$ is reacted in presence of stannous chloride and hydrochloric acid to give an intermediate, which is further treated with water, to eliminate ammonium chloride $\left({\mathrm{NH}}_4\mathrm{Cl}\right)$ and to give the final product ethanal $\left({\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{CHO}\right)$.
• The reaction is as follows,
•