Q30E

Question

In the Ritter reaction, an alkene reacts with a nitrile in the presence of strong aqueous sulfuric acid to yield an amide. Propose a mechanism.

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer

A mechanism of Ritter reaction is shown below


1Step 1: Definition of mechanism

 The sequence of elementary steps by which a chemical reaction occurs is defined as mechanism

2Step 2: Explanation

Protonation of the double bond in alkene by sulfuric acid leads to the formation of a tertiary carbocation. 

The electrophilic nitrogen of the acetonitrile attacks the carbocation . 

The nucleophilic attack of water on the nitrile carbon and subsequent removal of a proton yields the imidol. 

The imidol then tautomerizes to yield the amide required

A mechanism of Ritter reaction is shown below