Question

When alkyl/benzyl halide gets converted into amines in the presence of ammonia in ethanol, the reaction is known as:

• A. Oxidation reaction
• B. Ammonolysis
• C. Swartz reaction
• D. Wurtz reaction

Answer 1

The correct option is B Ammonolysis

When alkyl/benzyl halide reacts with ammonia in ethanol at 373 K, amine is formed. This reaction is known as ammonolysis. Ammono means ammonia molecule and lysis means break. Hence, the process of cleavage of C-X bond by ammonia molecule 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:
$RN{H}_3^{+}{X}^{-}+NaOH\to RN{H}_2+NaX+H_{2}O$

Hence, the correct answer is option (b).