Reaction of OH- and methylamine

[paperdoll]

Homework Statement

The question is what is the product of OH[itex]\cdot[/itex] and CH3NH2
The correct answer is H2O and [itex]\cdot[/itex]CH2NH2

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

The correct answer makes sense, but I don't understand the mechanism in terms of nucleophiles and electrophiles. If that was the case, wouldn't the OH[itex]\cdot[/itex] be a nucleophile and attack the nucleophillic regions of the [itex]\cdot[/itex]CH2NH2? A bit confused

 

[chemisttree]

Is it hydroxyl anion or hydroxyl radical?

 

[paperdoll]

Is it hydroxyl anion or hydroxyl radical?

It is a hydroxyl radical

 

[chemisttree]

Nucleophilic radical?

 

[DeeNos]

I can provide a more detailed explanation of the reaction between OH- and methylamine. First, let's look at the structures of OH- and methylamine. OH- is a hydroxide ion, which is a strong base and a good nucleophile. Methylamine (CH3NH2) is a primary amine, which has a lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom, making it a good electrophile.

When OH- and methylamine react, the hydroxide ion (OH-) will attack the electrophilic carbon atom in methylamine, forming a bond and creating a tetrahedral intermediate. This intermediate is unstable and quickly rearranges to form the final products, H2O and \cdotCH2NH2.

In terms of nucleophiles and electrophiles, OH- is acting as the nucleophile by donating its lone pair of electrons to the electrophilic carbon in methylamine. This creates a new bond and results in the formation of H2O. The remaining part of methylamine, \cdotCH2NH2, is considered a nucleophile as it still has a lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom and can potentially react with other electrophilic species.

I hope this explanation helps clarify the reaction mechanism for you. As a scientist, it is important to understand the roles of nucleophiles and electrophiles in a reaction to accurately predict the products formed.