Question

How will you convert-
A) Ethanamine to methanamine.
B) Methanamine to ethanamine.

Answer 1

Hint: Amines are derivatives of ammonia, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by a substituent such as an alkyl or aryl group. Ethylamine is an organic compound with the formula \[CH_3CH_2NH_2\]. Methylamine is an organic compound with a formula of \[CH_3NH_2\]. This colorless gas is a derivative of ammonia, but with one hydrogen atom being replaced by a methyl group. It is the simplest primary amine.

Complete answer:
[A] Converting Ethanamine to methanamine-
Methenamine can be prepared from Ethanamine, firstly by using \[HN{O_2}\] which gives ethyl alcohol which is oxidized to acetaldehyde and then to ethanoic acid. Now ethanoic acid is heated with ammonia to form ethanamide. And finally ethanamide is treated with B{r_2}/KOH to form methanamine.
$C{H_3}C{H_2}N{H_2}\xrightarrow[{ - {N_2}, - {H_2}}]{{HN{O_2}}}C{H_3}C{H_2}OH\xrightarrow[{{K_2}C{r_2}{O_7}}]{{[O]}}C{H_3}CHO\xrightarrow[{{K_2}C{r_2}{O_7}/ {H_2}S{O_4}}]{{[O]}}C{H_3}COOH\xrightarrow[{Heat}]{{NH3}}C{H_3}CON{H_2}\xrightarrow{{B{r_2}/ KOH}}C{H_3}N{H_2}$
[B] Methanamine to ethanamine-
When Methanamine is treated with \[HN{O_2}\], then it forms methyl alcohol. This methyl alcohol is treated with \[P{I_3}\] to form methyl iodide, which is again treated with alcoholic KCN to form methyl cyanide which further produces ethanamine.
$C{H_3}N{H_2}\xrightarrow{{HONO}}C{H_3}OH\xrightarrow{{P{l_3}}}C{H_3}I\xrightarrow{{KCN(alc)}}C{H_3}C \equiv N\xrightarrow[{Na/ alcohol}]{{4(H)}}C{H_3}C{H_2}N{H_2}$

Additional Information: Let’s discuss a nitrogen containing group called amide. Amides are derived from carboxylic acids. A carboxylic acid contains the \[ - COOH\;\] functional group, and in an amide the \[ - OH\;\] part of that group is replaced by a \[ - N{H_2}\] group. So, amides contain the \[ - CON{H_{2\;}}\] group.

Note: Students may confuse in amides and amines. These are different groups of compounds in organic chemistry. Compounds containing a nitrogen atom bonded in a hydrocarbon framework are classified as amines. Compounds that have a nitrogen atom bonded to one side of a carbonyl group are classified as amides.