Question:medium

What is A in the following reaction ? 

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The Gabriel synthesis is a reliable method for preparing pure primary amines from primary alkyl halides. It avoids the over-alkylation that can be a problem in the direct reaction of alkyl halides with ammonia.
Updated On: Feb 11, 2026
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

To identify the compound A in the given reaction, we need to understand the mechanism step-by-step:

  1. The reaction involves a benzyl bromide reacting with a phthalimide salt. This is a typical Gabriel synthesis used to prepare primary amines.
  2. Gabriel Synthesis: The phthalimide ion (from potassium phthalimide) acts as a nucleophile and attacks the benzyl bromide, displacing the bromide ion. This forms an N-alkyl phthalimide intermediate.
  3. Hydrolysis: The second step involves hydrolysis using hydroxide ions (OH). The hydrolysis cleaves the N-alkylphthalimide to form a primary amine.

Based on the above mechanism, the major product A is the formation of a primary amine, benzylamine.

Looking at the options provided and comparing with the formed product, we identify that option (B) matches the structure of benzylamine:

Thus, the correct answer is B.

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