Chapter 20, Problem 42P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The syntheses of the two compounds, ethanolamine and diethanolamine, are to be proposed.

Concept Introduction:

Amines are the organic compounds that contain an amino group $(-{\text{NH}}_2)$.

They can act as nucleophiles and electrophiles in organic reactions.

Amines can be classified into three categories: primary amines, secondary amines, and tertiary amines.

Electrophiles are electron deficient species which has positive or partially positive charge. Lewis acids are electrophiles which accept electron pair.

Nucleophiles are electron rich species which has negative or partially negative charge. Lewis bases are nucleophiles which donate electron pair.

Free radical is an atom, molecule or ion that has unpaired electrons which makes it highly chemically reactive.

Substitution reaction: A reaction in which one of the hydrogen atoms of a hydrocarbon or a functional group is substituted by any other functional group is called substitution reaction.

Elimination reaction: A reaction in which two substituent groups are detached and a double bond is formed is called elimination reaction.

Addition reaction: It is the reaction in which unsaturated bonds are converted to saturated molecules by the addition of molecules.

Oxirane is a cyclic compound containing three atoms; it easily undergoes ring opening due to ring strain, and forms straight-chain compounds.

The reaction of oxirane with amine leads to the formation of straight-chain compounds containing both hydroxyl and amine groups, named ethanolamine.

The reaction of ethanolamine with another molecule of oxirane leads to the substitution of another alcohol group on the nitrogen atom, and forms the compound, diethanolamine.