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Author: Subject: N-nitroso amines
runlabrun
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[*] posted on 10-1-2005 at 14:34
N-nitroso amines


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
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sparkgap
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[*] posted on 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... (^_^)
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