Question

True or False? Ammonia should not be used to form primary amines because ammonia is to weak a nucleophile to react with a 1^* alkyl halide.

Answer 1

False

Because

• Ammonia reacts as a nucleophile with alkyl halides to give primary amines in a nucleophilic substitution reaction.
• Yields are often poor as the product, a primary amine, RNH₂, is itself a nucleophile and can react with more alkyl halide.
• The result are mixtures containing primary amines, secondary amines, tertiary amines and quaternary ammonium salts.
• This can be avoided if a large excess of ammonia is used.

• Mechanism