The reaction between acetylene (C₂H₂) and lithium amide (LiNH₂) results in the formation of lithium acetylide (LiC₂H) and ammonia (NH₃).
How does the reaction work?
The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is:
C₂H₂ + LiNH₂ → LiC₂H + NH₃
This reaction is an example of a metal-ammonia condensation reaction, which is a type of reaction that occurs between an alkyne (a hydrocarbon with a triple bond between two carbon atoms) and an alkali metal amide (a compound formed by the reaction of an alkali metal with ammonia).
In this reaction, the lithium amide acts as a nucleophile, attacking the electrophilic carbon atom of the acetylene. This results in the formation of a lithium acetylide ion (LiC₂H⁻), which is then stabilized by the ammonia. The ammonia also acts as a base, removing a proton from the lithium acetylide ion to form lithium acetylide and ammonia.
Lithium acetylide is a versatile reagent that can be used in a variety of organic synthesis reactions. It is also an important component in the production of lithium carbide, which is used in the production of calcium carbide and other industrial chemicals.
Complete question:
What is the reaction between acetylene and lithium amide