Mr Cole Chemistry

Reduction of Nitriles

These questions are not relevant to AQA A-level Chemistry but are important for OCR A-level students.

  • Questions
  • Answers
  1. Ethanenitrile can be reduced by lithium tetrahydridoaluminate.
    1. Write a half equation for the reduction of ethanenitrile to ethylamine.
    2. Draw the structure of the reducing agent.
    3. Write the overall equation for the reduction of ethanenitrile by lithium tetrahydridoaluminate (lithium aluminium hydride).
    4. State the condition required for the reaction. Explain why that condition is necessary.
  2. An alternative method of reducing a nitrile is via the use of a metal catalyst.
    1. Write an equation for the reaction between ethanenitrile and hydrogen.
    2. State the metal catalyst used in the reaction.
  1. Ethanenitrile can be reduced by lithium tetrahydridoaluminate.
    1. Write a half equation for the reduction of ethanenitrile to ethylamine.
      CH3CN + 4H+ + 4e– –> CH3CH2NH2
    2. Draw the structure of the reducing agent.
    3. Write the overall equation for the reduction of ethanenitrile by lithium tetrahydridoaluminate (lithium aluminium hydride).
      CH3CN + 4[H] –> CH3CH2NH2
    4. State the condition required for the reaction. Explain why that condition is necessary.
      Dissolved in dry ether. LiAlH4 will react violently with water.
  2. An alternative method of reducing a nitrile is via the use of a metal catalyst.
    1. Write an equation for the reaction between ethanenitrile and hydrogen.
      CH3CN + 2H2–> CH3CH2NH2
    2. State the metal catalyst used in the reaction.
      Palladium or Nickel
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