Hey I must seem abit stupid but I'm doing a project and this question once again has made me come to a stand still:In a reaction what would liquid ammonia and KNH2. This is with a reaction of (C6H5)3C-K+ + C6H5Cl.

 

Any answers would be much appreciated

 

Thanks

Please be a little more clear. What do you want to know precisely?

Ok sorry was in abit of a rush earlier

 

In the reaction:(C6H5)3C-K+ + C6H5Cl. Liquid ammonia and trace KNH2 are used to get the product. I've been asked what part do liquid ammonia and KNH2 play in the reaction?

OK, now the question is clear. I'm not an organic chemistry expert, but just by looking at the reactants and looking at the solvent and trace KNH2 I think that the KNH2 plays a catalytic role.

 

The main net reaction most likely will be:

 

(C6H5)3C-K+ + C6H5Cl --> C(C6H5)4 + KCl.

 

The mechanism for this could be:

 

C6H5Cl + NH2(-) ---> C6H5NH2 + Cl(-)

 

Nitrogen is most electronegative and the charge may shift to the nitrogen atom, resulting in something like the following:

 

(C6H5)3C(-) + C6H5NH2 <---> (C6H5)3C.C6H5NH2(-) --> (C6H5)3C-C6H5 + NH2(-)