Predict the nature of P in the following reaction : `Me_(3)"CCH"_2 NH_2 overset("HONO") (to) P("main product")`

Options

A. `Me_(3)"CCH"_(2) OH`
B. `Me_(2)"CCH" = CH_(2)`
C. `Me_(2) CO(OH)C_(2) H_(5)`
D. `Me_(3)"CCH"_(2) NH(NO)`

Explanation

To predict the nature of P in the reaction of Me₃CCH₂NH₂ with HONO, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Reactants
The reactant is Me₃CCH₂NH₂, which is a tertiary amine. The structure can be drawn as follows:
- The central carbon (C) is bonded to three methyl groups (Me) and one CH₂NH₂ group.

### Step 2: Understand the Role of HONO
HONO (nitrous acid) can decompose to produce nitrosonium ion (NO⁺), which acts as an electrophile. This electrophile will attack the nitrogen atom in the amine group.

### Step 3: Electrophilic Attack
The nitrosonium ion (NO⁺) will attack the nitrogen atom of the amine (NH₂) group. This results in the formation of a positively charged intermediate:
- The nitrogen atom will have four bonds (three to hydrogen and one to the nitrosonium ion), resulting in a positive charge on nitrogen.

### Step 4: Formation of Carbocation
As the reaction proceeds, the bond between the nitrogen and the carbon (C) will break, leading to the formation of a carbocation:
- The carbocation will be formed on the carbon adjacent to the nitrogen, which is a secondary carbocation.

### Step 5: Methyl Shift
The secondary carbocation is not very stable, so a 1,2-methyl shift occurs. This means that one of the methyl groups from the carbon adjacent to the carbocation will shift to stabilize the carbocation:
- The structure now has a more stable tertiary carbocation.

### Step 6: Nucleophilic Attack by Water
Water can then attack the carbocation, leading to the formation of an alcohol:
- The final product will have an OH group replacing the NH₂ group.

### Step 7: Final Product Structure
The final product P can be represented as:
- Me₂C(OH)CH₂CH₃, which is a tertiary alcohol.

### Conclusion
The nature of P is a tertiary alcohol resulting from the reaction of Me₃CCH₂NH₂ with HONO.

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