Ammonolysis of Alkyl halides followed by the treatment with NaOH solution can be used to prepare primary, secondary and tertiary amines. The purpose of NaOH in the reaction is:
- (A)to activate used in the reaction
- (B)to remove acidic impurities✓ Correct
- (C)to increase the reactivity of alkyl halide
- (D)to remove basic impurities
Answer: (B)
Solution
Ammonia attacks the alkyl halide in a nucleophilic substitution that releases a hydrogen halide alongside the amine. That hydrogen halide at once protonates the basic amine, so the product is held as its ammonium halide salt and cannot be distilled out. Sodium hydroxide neutralises the hydrogen halide and sets the free amine loose. The sodium hydroxide is there to remove the acidic impurity formed in the substitution.
JEE Main · 2021 · 16 Mar 2021 · Shift 2 · Single correct option