Reaction of bromoethane with alcoholic ammonia under pressure gives

  • A. ethanol
  • B. ethylamine
  • C. ethanenitrile
  • D. ethane

Explanation

Ammonia has a lone pair on nitrogen and acts as a nucleophile, displacing bromide to give ethylamine, though the product is itself nucleophilic so further substitution to secondary and tertiary amines readily follows. Using a large excess of ammonia limits this. Ethanenitrile would be formed with potassium cyanide instead.

Related questions