BRAINCAKEReduction of Nitriles to Amines
Nitriles contain the −C≡N group. Because a nitrile can be made from a haloalkane (adding one carbon atom to the chain), it is a useful intermediate: the nitrile group can then be converted into other functional groups.
Reduction of a nitrile forms a primary amine. The C≡N triple bond gains hydrogen and becomes a −CH2NH2 group. OCR uses hydrogen gas with a nickel catalyst (H2/Ni) for this reduction.
In a general equation, 4 hydrogen atoms (2 H2) are added:
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Key terms in this lesson
- primary amine
- An amine in which the nitrogen atom is bonded to one alkyl or aryl group and two hydrogen atoms.
More in Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation
- Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation
- Nitriles from Haloalkanes
- Hydroxynitriles from Carbonyls
- Hydrolysis of Nitriles to Carboxylic Acids
- Extending Carbon Chains on Benzene
- Amides
- Naming Amides
All 8 lessons in Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation · All OCR A-level Organic Chemistry topics