Question:

When alkyl halide is boiled with large excess of alcoholic ammonia it forms

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When an alkyl halide reacts with excess ammonia, the primary amine is formed first. Further reactions may lead to secondary and tertiary amines.
Updated On: Jan 30, 2026
  • primary amine
  • tertiary amine
  • secondary amine
  • quaternary ammonium salt
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Reaction.
When alkyl halides react with a large excess of alcoholic ammonia, nucleophilic substitution takes place. The ammonia (NH\(_3\)) substitutes the halogen atom, resulting in the formation of a primary amine (RNH\(_2\)) after the first substitution. Further reactions can lead to secondary and tertiary amines, but the primary amine is the first product formed.

Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) primary amine: Correct. The reaction primarily forms a primary amine.
(B) tertiary amine: Incorrect. A tertiary amine is not the primary product when excess ammonia is used.
(C) secondary amine: Incorrect. Secondary amines can be formed, but the primary amine is the initial product.
(D) quaternary ammonium salt: Incorrect. A quaternary ammonium salt is not formed in this reaction with excess ammonia.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct product is a primary amine, which corresponds to option (A).
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