Hence,
an alkyl or benzyl halide on reaction with an ethanolic solution of
ammonia undergoes nucleophilic substitution reaction in which the
halogen atom is replaced by an amino (–NH2) group This process of
cleavage of the C–X bond by ammonia molecule is known as
ammonolysis The reaction is carried out in a sealed tube at 373
K The primary amine thus obtained behaves as a nucleophile and
can further react with alkyl halide to form secondary and tertiary
amines, and finally quaternary ammonium salt