Answer to Question #84154 in Organic Chemistry for Anupama

Question

Balance the following equation:

C10H12O2 + C2H7N = C12H19NO

Answer 1

The very equation of a chemical reaction is wrong.

1) Carboxylic acids and amines form salts through an acid -base reaction

RCOOH + RNH₂ -> RCOO^- RNH₃⁺

If so, the equation of a chemical reaction should be:

C₉H₁₁COOH + (CH₃)₂NH ->

C₉H₁₁COO^- (CH₃)₂NH⁺

Or

C₉H₁₂O₂ + C₂H₇N -> C₁₂H₁₉NO₂

2) When heated to high temperature, these salts give a useful amide product in a process called pyrolysis:

RCOO^- RNH₃⁺ -> RCONHR + H₂O

If so, the equation of a chemical reaction should be:

C₉H₁₁COOH + (CH₃)₂NH ^heat-> C₉H₁₁CON(CH₃)₂ + H₂O

Or

C₁₀H₁₂O₂ + C₂H₇N -> C₁₂H₁₇NO + H₂O