runlabrun - 10-1-2005 at 14:34
With the reaction of secondary amines to nitrous acid forms N-nitroso amines as the product... how would one decompose these highly carcinogenic
compounds?
Such as:
N-methylethanamine + HNO2 --> N-methyl-N-nitrosoethanamine
Decomposition of this product to achieve formation of Ethanol as a byproduct?
Would there be some way to follow the same pathway as for the treament of primary amines? this would make the products of a similar reaction with the
secondary amine mentioned above to yield methanol, ethanol and nitrogen gas...
-rlr
sparkgap - 16-1-2005 at 05:20
Nope. Secondary amines have two groups stuck on them already, so the nitrosoamines they'd form wouldn't decompose to nitrogen gas and the
corresponding alcohol. (Looking up the mech. should give you a hint why.)
Best thing I can think of (haven't tried it, though) is to quench that mess you have with base. Hope what you're actually making isn't
base-sensitive... (^_^)