Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions of Meta‐ and Para‐Substituted Benzylamines with Benzyl Bromide in Methanol Medium

The rates of reactions of para‐ and meta‐substituted benzylamines with benzyl bromide were measured using conductivity technique in methanol medium. The reaction followed a total second‐order path. The end product of the reaction is identified as dibenzylamine (X‐C₆H₄CH₂NHCH₂C₆H₅) (where X = 4‐OCH₃, 4‐CH₃, H, 4‐Cl, 4‐CF₃, 3‐CF₃, 4‐NO₂). Electron‐withdrawing groups such as chloro, trifluoromethyl, and nitro in the benzylamine moiety decrease the rate of the reaction, whereas the electron‐donating groups, such as methoxy and methyl, increase the rate compared to the unsubstituted compound. A mechanism involving formation of an S_N2‐type transition state between the amine nucleophiles and the benzyl bromide and its subsequent decomposition is proposed. Hammett's reaction constant ρ of the reaction decreases with an increase in temperature. Activation parameters were calculated and discussed.