Question

Which of the following is formed when ethyl carbonate reacts with ammonia? (a) urea (b) urea oxalate (c) ethyl cyanate (d) ethyl nitrate

Short answer

Urea (option (a)) is formed.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Reactants

Ethyl carbonate, also known as diethyl carbonate, is a compound with the formula \((C_2H_5O)_2CO_3\). Ammonia is a compound with the formula \(NH_3\). We need to consider what happens when these two react.

Determine the Reaction Types

When a carbonate reacts, it might decompose or participate in substitution reactions. Given we have a nucleophile like ammonia, it can attack the carbonate, leading to substitution reactions.

Predict the Possible Product

Ammonia can replace the ethoxy group \((C_2H_5O)^-\) in ethyl carbonate, leading to the production of urea \((NH_2CONH_2)\). This reaction typically leads to the formation of urea as ammonia replaces the carbamate group, and ethyl alcohol is released.

Rule Out Other Options

- **(b) Urea Oxalate**: This compound is not formed as oxalate is not present. - **(c) Ethyl Cyanate**: Formation involves a different type of reaction with other specific compounds. - **(d) Ethyl Nitrate**: Not related to the reactants or possible reaction types in this scenario.

Key concepts

Ethyl Carbonate Reactions

Ethyl carbonate is an intriguing compound in organic chemistry. It consists of two ethoxy groups bonded to a carbonate group, making it a valuable molecule for various reactions. When considering reactions involving ethyl carbonate, it's important to remember its susceptibility to substitution reactions given its structure.

When ethyl carbonate participates in a chemical reaction, it often exchanges one or both ethoxy groups. In the presence of a suitable nucleophile, like ammonia, these ethoxy groups can be substituted. This kind of interaction is pivotal because ethyl carbonate bridges the reactivity gap between simple carbonates and more complex organic molecules. In essence, its reactive carbonate group allows it to form various products depending on the reactants it contacts.

• Highly reactive carbonate group
• Susceptible to nucleophilic attacks
• Forms new bonds through substitution reactions

Understanding ethyl carbonate's nature helps anticipate results when it reacts with compounds such as ammonia, potentially leading to noteworthy products like urea.

Nucleophilic Substitution

In organic chemistry, nucleophilic substitution is a fundamental mechanism. It involves an electron-rich species—known as a nucleophile—attacking a positive or partially positive center within a molecule, often replacing a group attached to that center.

In the case of ethyl carbonate and ammonia, ammonia acts as the nucleophile. It has a lone pair of electrons ready to attack the carbonate group in ethyl carbonate. This attack results in the substitution of one of the ethoxy groups by an amine group, forming urea. The beauty of this process lies in the simplicity of the electron transfer.

• Ammonia is the nucleophile with electron pairs
• Attacks creates new bonds by replacing the ethoxy group
• Leads to formation of stable compounds like urea

This mechanism is critical for understanding how molecules interact at an atomic level. It also highlights the dynamic nature of chemical bonds and the pathways through which molecules transform in organic chemistry.

Urea Formation

Urea formation is a significant reaction pathway in chemistry, especially when involving ethyl carbonate and ammonia. Urea, with the formula \( NH_2CONH_2 \), is an organic compound vital in many chemical and biological processes.

In this particular reaction, ammonia replaces an ethoxy group in ethyl carbonate, resulting in the formation of urea. The transformation here is driven by the nucleophilic strength and action of ammonia. This means that during the process of ethyl carbonate reacting with ammonia, ethyl alcohol is often released as a byproduct.

• The final product is stable and widely used.
• Urea serves numerous roles, such as in agricultural fertilizers and industrial applications.
• Recognizing the formation pathway allows predictions of yields and byproducts.

Understanding urea formation not only sheds light on the specific reactions and reagents involved but also emphasizes the broader applicability of these reactions in industrial processes.