Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: Limpet chicken on 11/12/2004 01:09:12

Title: Synthesizing primary alkylamines from secondary.
Post by: Limpet chicken on 11/12/2004 01:09:12

Hi, new here[:)]

I would appreciate a little help, is there any way to produce a primary alkylamine from a secondary alkylamine?

In particular, dimethylamine to methylamine? I am trying to find a way, to produce methylamine, by first using phospham (PNH) on the primary alcohol, which yields the secondary amine, but I am at a loss as if it is possible to produce the primary amine from the formed dimethylamine.

I thought possibly of demethylation via pyridine, but since the Hive and Rhodium went down, I no longer have access to the synthesis of pyridine itself, would pyridine work even?

Any other methods of demethylation stopping at the removal of the first methyl group?

Or what about using dimethylsulfate or MeI to directly methylate the primary alcohol, not sure if that would work though.

What about using NaBH4? although I am loathe to use that, due to the price.

I am a hobby chemist, working in my garage, so my options are limited as to what I can do.

Non omnis moriar, tenebris e lumen.

Title: Re: Synthesizing primary alkylamines from secondary.
Post by: Ylide on 12/12/2004 04:54:11

This wouldn't have anything to do with the production of illicit substances, would it?  I believe methyl amine is a key ingredient to the synthesis of methamphetamine, so you surely understand my reluctance to assist in garage chemistry...






This message brought to you by The Council of People Who Are Sick of Seeing More People

Title: Re: Synthesizing primary alkylamines from secondary.
Post by: Limpet chicken on 12/12/2004 16:36:37

I understand your concerns Ylide, but that would be a rather round about way to create methamphetamine, I am a hobby chemist actually, I don't make drugs.

I can obtain the primary alkylamines already, I was just wondering if there was a way to directly produce them from secondary amines, as they can be produced using phospham right from the primary alcohol.



Non omnis moriar, tenebris e lumen.

Title: Re: Synthesizing primary alkylamines from secondary.
Post by: Ylide on 13/12/2004 06:52:04

Maybe if you produce an enamine and oxidatively cleave it, then reduce it.  Seems like a lot of work for something you can just buy.  There might be some weird little obscure reaction that does this, but I've never seen it.  



This message brought to you by The Council of People Who Are Sick of Seeing More People