Name and outline the mechanism for the reaction above.

This mechanism is nucleophilic substitution.

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How are nitriles reduced to primary amines?

Nitriles are reduced to primary amines by passing the nitrile vapour and hydrogen gas over a nickel catalyst. Alternatively, a solution of LiAlH4 in dry ether can be used for the reduction. 


For example, ethylamine is produced from the reduction of ethanenitrile:

CH3CN + 4[H] ➔ CH3CH2NH2

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Outline 3 types of reaction that can be used to produce primary aliphatic amines.

  1. Nucleophilic substitution of a halogenoalkane using ammonia in ethanol.
  2. Reduction of an amide using the reducing agent LiAlH4. 
  3. Reduction of a nitrile using hydrogen and a nickel catalyst (or the reducing agent LiAlH4).

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How are secondary aliphatic amines produced from halogenoalkanes?

Halogenoalkanes are heated in a sealed tube under pressure in a solution of primary amine in ethanol to form secondary amine. A nucleophilic substitution reaction takes place.


For example, diethylamine is produced from the reaction of chloroethane and ethylamine:

C2H5Cl + C2H5NH2 ➔ (C2H5)2NH + HCl

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