Question

Write the name of the product formed by the action of LiAlH4/ether on acetamide.

Answer 1

The given compound is acetamide (CH₃CONH₂).

Lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH₄) is a powerful reducing agent that reduces amides to amines when used in anhydrous ether as solvent.

The reaction proceeds as: \[ CH_3CONH_2 \xrightarrow[\text{ether}]{\text{LiAlH}_4} CH_3CH_2NH_2 \]

Thus, acetamide is reduced to ethylamine.

- LiAlH₄ reduces:
• Amides → Amines 
• Aldehydes → Primary alcohols 
• Ketones → Secondary alcohols 
• Carboxylic acids and esters → Primary alcohols - The reaction removes the oxygen atom completely from the amide group.