Which of the following reactions is appropriate for converting acetamide to methanamine?
- Hoffmann hypobromamide reaction
- Stephen's reaction
- Gabriel phthalimide synthesis
- Carbylamine reaction
Answer
(1) Hoffmann hypobromamide reaction
Solution
Acetamide (CH3CONH2, 2 C) → methanamine (CH3NH2, 1 C): one carbon atom less.
As per NCERT, Hoffmann bromamide degradation converts an amide into a primary amine with one carbon atom less than the amide:
CH3CONH2 + Br2 + 4NaOH CH3NH2 + Na2CO3 + 2NaBr + 2H2O
Stephen's reaction gives aldehydes from nitriles, Gabriel synthesis gives amines from alkyl halides, and the carbylamine reaction gives isocyanides.
Answer: (1)