Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Trialkylamines:Speculation

CitricAcid - 10-1-2016 at 16:18

I have been gone from the forum for quite a while,I have a hobby where I collect/synthesize compounds with various smells. So far I have:
Skatole
Benzene
Phenol
Toluene
Sulfur Dichloride
Cinnamaldehyde (Extracted)
Limonene (Extracted)

The next substance on my to-do list is a trialkylamine,triethylamine to be exact,due to its fish-like odor. I would like details on the synthesis of trialkylamines in general. What I have in mind is either a reaction between ammonia and an alcohol,or nitrogen trichloride and a brominated alcohol (I would prefer not using that method). Are my speculations correct? Are there any important details that I need to know besides NCl3's explosion hazard?

[Edited on 11-1-2016 by CitricAcid]

Etaoin Shrdlu - 10-1-2016 at 16:46

Quote: Originally posted by CitricAcid  
a reaction between ammonia and an alcohol with aluminum chloride as a catalyst

What is the basis for this?

CitricAcid - 10-1-2016 at 21:37

Quote: Originally posted by Etaoin Shrdlu  
Quote: Originally posted by CitricAcid  
a reaction between ammonia and an alcohol with aluminum chloride as a catalyst

What is the basis for this?

My apologies,I was thinking of a Friedel-Crafts reaction. Please disregard what I said previously.

[Edited on 11-1-2016 by CitricAcid]

Agari - 11-1-2016 at 14:47

This has been discussed previously on SM and the information is not hard to obtain. There is a PDF that describes the synthesis:
www.sciencemadness.org/talk/files.php?pid=233855&aid=172...