Gabriel synthesis
| Gabriel synthesis | |
|---|---|
| Named after | Siegmund Gabriel |
| Reaction type | Substitution reaction |
| Identifiers | |
| Organic Chemistry Portal | gabriel-synthesis |
| RSC ontology ID | RXNO:0000103 |
The Gabriel synthesis is a chemical reaction that transforms primary alkyl halides into primary amines. Traditionally, the reaction uses potassium phthalimide.[1][2][3] The reaction is named after the German chemist Siegmund Gabriel.[4]
The Gabriel reaction has been generalized to include the alkylation of sulfonamides and imides, followed by deprotection, to obtain amines (see Alternative Gabriel reagents).[5][6]
The utility of the method is based on the fact that the alkylation of ammonia is an unselective and inefficient route to amines in the laboratory (on an industrial scale, the alkylation of ammonia is, however, widely employed). The conjugate base of ammonia, sodium amide (NaNH2), is more basic than it is nucleophilic. In fact, sodium amide is used to deliberately obtain the dehydrohalogenation product.[7]
Contents
Traditional Gabriel synthesis
In this method, the sodium or potassium salt of phthalimide is N-alkylated with a primary alkyl halide to give the corresponding N-alkylphthalimide. The reaction fails with most secondary alkyl halides:
Upon workup by acidic hydrolysis the primary amine is liberated as the amine salt.[8] Alternatively the workup may be via the Ing–Manske procedure, involving reaction with aqueous or ethanolic hydrazine at reflux. This produces a precipitate of phthalhydrazide along with the primary amine. The first technique often produces bad yields or side products; separation of phthalhydrazide can be unpleasant. For these reasons, other methods for liberating the amine from the phthalimide exist.[9] Even with the use of the hydrazinolysis method, the Gabriel method suffers from relatively harsh conditions.
Alternative Gabriel reagents
Many alternative reagents have been developed to complement the use of phthalimides. Most such reagents, e.g. the sodium salt of saccharin, are electronically similar to the phthalimide salts. In terms of their advantages, some such alternative reagents hydrolyze more readily, extend the reactivity to secondary alkyl halides, and allow the production of secondary amines.[6]
See Also
- Robinson–Gabriel synthesis - also developed by Siegmund Gabriel
- Delépine reaction - primary amines from benzyl or alkyl halides
References
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- ↑ Mitsunobu, O. Comp. Org. Syn. 1991, 6, 79–85. (Review)
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