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Grade Upto college levelPhysical Chemistry

An aliphatic amine having molecular formula C3H9N reacts with an excess of methyl iodide to produce a compound with molecular formula C6div6IN. Hence the amine is

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12 Years agoGrade Upto college level
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To determine the identity of the aliphatic amine with the molecular formula C3H9N, we need to analyze the reaction it undergoes with methyl iodide. The reaction suggests that the amine is acting as a nucleophile, attacking the methyl iodide to form a quaternary ammonium salt. Let's break this down step by step.

Understanding the Reaction

In this scenario, we have an aliphatic amine, which is a type of amine where the nitrogen atom is bonded to carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain. The formula C3H9N indicates that the amine has three carbon atoms, nine hydrogen atoms, and one nitrogen atom. When this amine reacts with methyl iodide (CH3I), it can undergo a methylation reaction.

Formation of the Quaternary Ammonium Salt

The reaction can be represented as follows:

  • Amine (C3H9N) + Methyl Iodide (CH3I) → Quaternary Ammonium Salt (C6H16IN)

In this reaction, the nitrogen atom of the amine donates its lone pair of electrons to form a bond with the methyl group from methyl iodide. This results in the formation of a quaternary ammonium salt, which has the formula C6H16IN. The increase in carbon and hydrogen atoms in the product indicates that the amine has been methylated.

Identifying the Aliphatic Amine

To find the specific aliphatic amine, we can consider the possible structures that fit the formula C3H9N. The simplest aliphatic amines with three carbon atoms include:

  • Propylamine (C3H9N)
  • Isopropylamine (C3H9N)

Both of these amines can react with methyl iodide. However, propylamine is the more straightforward choice since it is a primary amine and will react more readily with methyl iodide to form the quaternary ammonium salt.

Final Thoughts on the Reaction

When propylamine reacts with excess methyl iodide, it will undergo multiple methylation steps, leading to the formation of the quaternary ammonium salt with the formula C6H16IN. This confirms that the original aliphatic amine is indeed propylamine.

In summary, the aliphatic amine with the molecular formula C3H9N that reacts with methyl iodide to produce the compound C6H16IN is propylamine. This reaction showcases the nucleophilic nature of amines and their ability to form quaternary ammonium salts through methylation.