Question

Write the chemical equation for the conversion:
Benzyl chloride to 2- phenylethanamine.

Answer 1

Hint : The benzyl chloride is an aromatic compound. It has the molecular formula as ${{C}_{6}}{{H}_{5}}C{{H}_{2}}Cl$ . The 2- phenylethanamine is an amine compound in which an amine group is attached. It has the molecular formula as ${{C}_{6}}{{H}_{5}}C{{H}_{2}}C{{H}_{2}}N{{H}_{2}}$ . To convert the Benzyl chloride to 2- phenylethanamine we have to follow two steps. In one of these two steps we need to undergo the process of reduction to get the desired product.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
So to convert the benzyl chloride to 2- phenylethanamine we will follow to steps. In the first step we will react the benzyl chloride with the potassium cyanide with the aqueous ethanol which will form benzyl cyanide and potassium chloride. Then in the next step the cyanide will get reduced to amine when we react with the benzyl cyanide with the $LiAl{{H}_{4}}$ . So let us see the following reactions to understand properly:;
So first the benzyl chloride is been reacted with potassium cyanide and aqueous ethanol to give the benzyl cyanide:

Now the benzyl cyanide is been reduced with the help of $LiAl{{H}_{4}}$ to get the desired product called as 2- phenylethanamine:

So by following these two steps we will get the 2 phenylethanamine.

Note :
We can also get the 2 phenyl ethanoic acid from the benzyl cyanide by just hydrolysing the benzyl cyanide. We can form the benzyl chloride from the benzyl alcohol by just reacting it with the phosphorus pentachloride. The benzyl alcohol is a colourless liquid with a pleasant odour. It helps in the manufacturing of the ethers also.