Preparation of Amines From Alkyl Halide

Alkyl halides react with ammonia to form primary amines.

R – X + 2 NH₃ → R NH₂ + NH₄X

The primary amine so formed may further react to give a secondary amine, tertiary amine or a quaternary ammonium salt. So in order to get good yield of the primary amine, the reaction is carried out using excess of ammonia.