The best reagent for converting, 2-phenylpropanamide into 1-phenylethanemine is….

Options

A. excess `H_(2)//Pt`
B. `NaOH//Br_(2)`
C. `NABH_(4)//"methanol"`
D. `LiAlH_(4)"ether"`

Explanation

To convert 2-phenylpropanamide into 1-phenylethanamine, we need to consider the structural changes involved in this transformation. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the solution:

### Step 1: Identify the structure of 2-phenylpropanamide
2-phenylpropanamide has the following structure:
- It consists of a propanamide backbone (which has three carbons) with a phenyl group attached to the second carbon.

### Step 2: Understand the target structure
The target compound, 1-phenylethanamine, has the following structure:
- It consists of an ethanamine backbone (which has two carbons) with a phenyl group attached to the first carbon.

### Step 3: Analyze the required transformation
To convert from 2-phenylpropanamide to 1-phenylethanamine, we need to:
- Remove one carbon from the amide structure (the propanamide) and convert the carbonyl group (C=O) into an amine (NH2).

### Step 4: Identify the appropriate reagent
The best reagent for this transformation is sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in the presence of bromine (Br2), which is known as the Hofmann bromamide reaction. This reaction specifically removes the carbonyl group and reduces the carbon chain by one carbon atom.

### Step 5: Conclusion
Thus, the best reagent for converting 2-phenylpropanamide into 1-phenylethanamine is NaOH in Br2.

### Summary of the Steps:
1. Identify the structure of the starting compound (2-phenylpropanamide).
2. Determine the structure of the desired product (1-phenylethanamine).
3. Analyze the transformation needed (removal of one carbon and conversion of carbonyl to amine).
4. Identify the appropriate reagent (NaOH in Br2 for Hofmann bromamide reaction).
5. Conclude with the answer.

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