Final answer:
The conversion from benzyl bromides to benzylamine can be accomplished by reacting benzyl bromide with ammonia, using a palladium catalyst or sodium amide in liquid ammonia, to achieve nucleophilic substitution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The conversion of benzyl bromides to benzylamine can be achieved through nucleophilic substitution reactions. A commonly used approach involves the reaction of benzyl bromide with ammonia to yield benzylamine. This process can be catalyzed by a palladium catalyst under appropriate conditions, as seen in the example provided by Vo, G.D., and Hartwig, J.F., where they detail palladium-catalyzed coupling of ammonia with aryl halides.
Furthermore, Benkeser and Buting describe the preparation of aromatic amines with sodium amide in liquid ammonia, which could be an alternative route for converting benzyl bromides to benzylamine.
Looking at alternative synthetic routes, the hydrolysis of an amide, such as benzamide, results in the formation of an organic acid (benzoic acid) and ammonia.
This reaction, however, is not directly relevant to the synthesis of benzylamine from benzyl bromides. The conversion would involve a nucleophilic substitution where ammonia or an ammonia equivalent reacts with the benzyl bromide to displace the bromide ion, forming the desired benzylamine.
One potential protocol for this could involve the reaction of benzyl bromide with aqueous ammonia or an ammonia equivalent in the presence of a base, such as sodium hydroxide, at elevated temperatures to promote the substitution and yield benzylamine.