Question

The reaction of ammonia with a large excess of ethyl chloride will give mainly :

• A. Ethylamine
• B. Tetraethylammonium chloride
• C. Triethylamine
• D. Diethylamine

Hint:

Excess Ammonia leads to a Primary Amine as the main product. Excess Alkyl Halide leads to a Quaternary Ammonium Salt.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Concept
The reaction between an alkyl halide and ammonia is a nucleophilic substitution reaction called ammonolysis, which produces amines.

Step 2: Meaning
The primary amine formed in the first step acts as a nucleophile and can continue reacting with unreacted alkyl halide molecules to form secondary, then tertiary amines, and eventually a quaternary ammonium salt.

Step 3: Analysis
The question specifies a large excess of ethyl chloride. Because there is an abundance of the alkyl halide, exhaustive alkylation will take place, driving the reaction all the way to completion.

Step 4: Conclusion
The final product under conditions of excess alkyl halide is the fully alkylated quaternary ammonium salt. In this case, four ethyl groups attach to the nitrogen, yielding tetraethylammonium chloride.

Final Answer: (B)