Menshutkin reaction

The Menschutkin reaction is a reaction in the organic chemistry for the synthesis of quaternary ammonium salts. It was discovered in 1890 by the Russian chemist Nikolay Menschutkin (Russian Николай Александрович Меншуткин, 1842-1907 ).

The reaction between amines and haloalkanes for the synthesis of secondary and tertiary amines can be controlled hard, so that other synthetic routes given preference (eg reductive amination). For the preparation of quaternary ammonium salts, however, the Menschutkin reaction is excellent suitable. By this reaction, phase transfer catalysts and ionic liquids can be prepared easily.