Textbooks often present the Gabriel synthesis of primary amines as a preferred method; however, this synthesis is not atom economical and it utilizes hazardous hydrazine. In an effort to folllow the principles of green chemistry to inform our experimental design, we have investigated a simple synthesis of primary amines from alkyl halides and aqueous ammonia.The reaction is ideal to examine experimental parameters such as concentration of ammonia, time of reaction, and temperature of the reaction. This green chemistry laboratory preparation is appropriate for an undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory equipped with a microwave reactor.

Microwave synthesis in the undergraduate organic chemistry laboratory: Greener synthesis of amines

247th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.