Oxidations involving silver. V. The oxidation of primary aliphatic amines

Abstract

Primary aliphatic amines are rapidly oxidized using a silver electrode at potentials more positive than 0.6 V normal hydrogen electrode (n.h.e.) in aqueous alkali. Primary aliphatic amines with a mono-substituted α-carbon atom give the corresponding nitrile and aldehyde, α,α-disubstituted ones give the corresponding ketone, and α,α,α-trisubstituted ones give the corresponding alcohol, nitro-compound, and unsaturated hydrocarbons. Some evidence for the reaction pathway is presented. The effect of amine on the kinetic parameters for Ag2O formation is reported.