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Grade 12Mechanics

an unknown amine is treated with excess of methyl iodide. 2 equivalents of methyl iodide react with amine. The amine is treated with silver oxide and water and then heated to 120° C. The resulting products are trimethylamine and ethylene. The unkown amine is ?Pls give the answer as soon as possible 😬

Profile image of Sanjali
8 Years agoGrade 12
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2 Answers

Profile image of Arun
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer8 Years ago
We can find out the unknown amine by using the concept of Hoffman Elimination.
In the first step, the amine reacts with excess of methyl iodide, a quaternary ammonium iodide is formed.
Reaction with AgO and water gives a quaternary ammonium hydroxide.
Heating this leads to the formation of a less substituted alkene and trimethylamine.
Since ethylene is formed, which contains 2 carbon atoms, the starting amine should be ethylamine.
The unknown amine is Ethylamine.

Hope it helps.
Profile image of Piyush Kumar Behera
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer8 Years ago
Arun I think you are wrong,it is given that it reacts with 2 equivalents but with your answer it would be 3 equivalents of CH3I.I think the answer is 
                      
In this case it will react with 2 eqivalents of CH3I
And the other reactions are
Yes this is Hoffmann elimination.
 
 
Hope it helps!!