Menshutkin reaction

Menshutkin reaction
Named after Nikolai Menshutkin
Reaction type Coupling reaction
Identifiers
RSC ontology ID RXNO:0000223

In organic chemistry, the Menshutkin reaction converts a tertiary amine into a quaternary ammonium salt by reaction with an alkyl halide. Similar reactions occur when tertiary phosphines are treated with alkyl halides.

The reaction is the method of choice for the preparation of quaternary ammonium salts. Some phase transfer catalysts (PTC) can be prepared according to the Menshutkin reaction, for instance the synthesis of triethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (TEBA) from triethylamine and benzyl chloride:

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