Question

Ethylamine undergoes oxidation in the presence of $KMn{O_4}$ to form?
(A) An acid
(B) An alcohol
(C) An aldehyde
(D) A nitrogen oxide

Answer 1

In order to know what will be the product formed when ethyl amine reacts with potassium permanganate, we must know what is the role of the Potassium permanganate in the given reaction. Potassium permanganate is a good oxidizing agent.

Complete Solution :
Ethyl amine is the chemical compound with the chemical formula of $C{H_3}C{H_2}N{H_2}$. It is a base compound. Ethyl amine will be having a strong ammonia like odour. $C{H_3}C{H_2}N{H_2}$is a colourless gas. Ethyl amine belongs to the primary amine group. The nitrogen atom in the primary amine will have a tetrahedral structure with a bond angle of ${109^\circ }$.
Ethyl amine can be prepared by the following methods.
- First is the alkylation reaction in which the ethanol will react with ammonia to give primary amine.
$C{H_3}C{H_2}OH + N{H_3} \to C{H_3}C{H_2}N{H_2} + {H_2}O$

- Reduction of the nitroethane will give ethylamine.
$C{H_3}C{H_2}N{O_2}\xrightarrow[{Sn/HCl}]{{[H]}}C{H_3}C{H_2}N{H_2}$
Now let us move onto the question given. Let us now see what will happen when ethylamine is reacted with potassium permanganate. $KMn{O_4}$ being a good oxidising agent when treated with ethyl amine, we will obtain aldehyde.
$C{H_3}C{H_2}N{H_2} \to C{H_3}CH = NH \to C{H_3}CHO + N{H_3}$
So, the correct answer is “Option C”.

Note: Not only $KMn{O_4}$, there are other oxidising agents present. They are
- Potassium Nitrate
- Sulphuric acid
- Nitric acid
- Ozone
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Oxygen