An isonitrile on reduction gives:

Explanation:

• Pure amines are generally colorless, have a fishy smell, and are liquids in nature.
• The chemical reactivity of amines is mainly due to the presence of a lone pair of electrons on N-atom due to which amines act as nucleophiles or bases.
• A nucleophile is a species that attacks an electron-deficient carbon and a base that attacks an electron-deficient atom.
• In aromatic amines, the lone pair of electrons on nitrogen activates the aromatic ring towards an electrophilic substitution reaction.

Mendius reaction:

• Cyanides on reduction with Na/C₂H₅OH, H₂/Ni, or Platinum or LiAlH₄ gives corresponding amines.
• The reduction with Na- C₂H₅OH is called the Mendius reaction.
• Cyanides and isocyanides obtained in the reaction are generated by the reaction of alkyl halides with KCN and AgCN respectively.

CH₃Br +CN^- → CH₃CN

• The reactions are:

• When cyanides are reduced, they yield primary amines.
• When isocyanides are reduced, they yield secondary amines.

Hence, an isonitrile on reduction gives 2^o​ amines.

Important Points

• The amine formed has one carbon more than that of the alkyl halide used.
• Therefore the reaction can be used to Step up a reaction.