The answer is A. From what I'm understanding, this is the reaction that is taking place.
From my understanding the NaOH keeps the carboxylic acid in it's deprotonated state (neg charge), but why doesn't it also deprotonate the positively charged Amine?? I also don't see how the ether layer would be able to separate the amide and amine. Isn't the amine more non polar?
I'm also not sure what they mean by "evaporating the solvent". Am I suppose to be thinking about boiling point here?
I'm also not sure what they mean by "evaporating the solvent."
Do not over think that part too much. The diethyl ether was used as a solvent. Therefore, we don't really care so much about it. We are trying to get the amide. Recall that diethyl ether has a very low boiling point (approximately 34.5 degree c). So we heat the flask slightly and the diethyl ether will burn off (evaporate) leaving only the amide.
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