MDCAT Alkyl Halides & Amines 2026

Alkyl Halides (R-X)

• SN1: tertiary, polar protic, racemisation
• SN2: primary, polar aprotic, inversion (Walden)
• E1 / E2: elimination to alkene (Zaitsev rule)

Amines

• Primary (RNH₂), secondary (R₂NH), tertiary (R₃N)
• Basic; aliphatic amines more basic than aromatic (lone pair delocalised in aromatic)
• Aniline + HNO₂ → diazonium salt; coupling forms azo dyes