Give the products expected when the following tertiary amines are treated with a peroxyacid and heated.
(c) cyclohexyldimethylamine

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the reaction: The reaction involves the oxidation of a tertiary amine using a peroxyacid. This process is known as the Cope elimination, where the tertiary amine is converted into an N-oxide intermediate, which then undergoes elimination upon heating to form an alkene.
2. Step 1: Identify the structure of the given tertiary amine. Cyclohexyldimethylamine consists of a cyclohexyl group attached to a nitrogen atom, which is also bonded to two methyl groups.
3. Step 2: React the tertiary amine with a peroxyacid (e.g., m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid, MCPBA). The peroxyacid oxidizes the nitrogen atom of the tertiary amine to form an N-oxide. The structure of the N-oxide will have a cyclohexyl group, two methyl groups, and an oxygen atom bonded to the nitrogen.
4. Step 3: Heat the N-oxide intermediate. Heating induces the Cope elimination, where the N-oxide undergoes a concerted elimination reaction. A hydrogen atom from the β-carbon (relative to the nitrogen) and the N-oxide group are eliminated, forming a double bond in the process.
5. Step 4: Determine the product. The elimination will result in the formation of an alkene. In this case, the product will be cyclohexene, as the β-hydrogen is removed from the cyclohexyl group, leading to the formation of a double bond in the cyclohexane ring.

Key Concepts

Tertiary Amines

Tertiary amines are organic compounds that contain a nitrogen atom bonded to three carbon-containing groups. They are characterized by their ability to act as nucleophiles due to the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen. In reactions, tertiary amines can undergo oxidation, which is relevant when treated with peroxyacids, leading to the formation of N-oxides.

Peroxyacids

Peroxyacids, also known as peracids, are organic compounds that contain a peroxy group (-O-O-) bonded to a carbon atom. They are strong oxidizing agents and can react with various substrates, including amines, to introduce oxygen functionalities. When tertiary amines react with peroxyacids, they can form N-oxides, which are important intermediates in organic synthesis.

Oxidation Reactions

Oxidation reactions involve the loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state by a molecule. In the context of tertiary amines and peroxyacids, the oxidation process leads to the formation of N-oxides. Understanding the mechanism of these reactions is crucial for predicting the products formed when tertiary amines are treated with oxidizing agents like peroxyacids.