Question

The main product formed when the ammonolysis is carried out using excess of iodoethane is _______

(a) 1° amine

(b) 2° amine

(c) 3° amine

(d) quaternary ammonium salt

This question was posed to me at a job interview.

Question is from Preparation of Amines topic in division Amines of Chemistry – Class 12

Answer 1

The correct choice is (d) quaternary ammonium salt

The explanation is: When an excess of alkyl halide is used, the presence of a base will allow the excess hydrogen halide formed to be consumed, resulting in the formation of quaternary ammonium salt as a major product.