Hydroamination of ethylene with NH3 induced by non-thermal atmospheric plasma

We show here that non-thermal atmospheric plasma induces the cleavage of the N-H bond of NH3 to form aminium radicals, which then add onto ethylene to form ethylamine in 17% yield. This technology can be also extended to n-octene, leading to the formation of 1-octylamine, i.e. with anti-Markovnikov addition of NH3.

Automated summary

Non-thermal atmospheric plasma is capable of cleaving the N-H bond of NH3 to form aminium radicals, which then react with ethylene to produce ethylamine with a yield of 17%. This technology can also be applied to n-octene, leading to the formation of 1-octylamine, demonstrating anti-Markovnikov addition of NH3.