Primary amines on treatment with alkyl halide yield;

Correct answer: D. Mixture of (a), (b) & (c)

  • A. Secondary amine
  • B. Tertiary amine
  • C. Quaternary ammonium salt
  • D. Mixture of (a), (b) & (c)

Explanation

When primary amines are treated with alkyl halides, they undergo a series of nucleophilic substitution reactions. Initially, secondary amines are formed. If the reaction continues, tertiary amines can be generated, and with further reaction, quaternary ammonium salts are produced. Thus, the process often results in a mixture of secondary, tertiary amines, and quaternary ammonium salts, depending on the reaction conditions and stoichiometry. The mixture is due to the stepwise alkylation of the amine.Option A is incorrect because the reaction doesn't necessarily stop at the secondary amine stage. Option B is incorrect as it represents an intermediate, not the complete product mixture. Option C is also incorrect as it is just one of the potential products, not accounting for the others formed during the reaction progression.

This question appeared on the ETEA MDCAT 2016 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.

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About Nucleophilic Substitution

Nucleophilic substitution replaces a leaving group in an alkyl halide when an electron-rich nucleophile attacks the carbon atom. The topic compares SN1 and SN2 mechanisms, including reaction conditions, substrate structure, solvent effects, nucleophile strength, carbocation formation and stereochemical changes, and distinguishes substitution from elimination.

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