Which of the following reaction can be used to convert acetamide to methyl amine?

Hoffmann Bromamide reaction

The correct answer is option 4. Hoffmann Bromamide reaction.

The correct reaction to convert acetamide (\(CH_3CONH_2\)) to methylamine (\(CH_3NH_2\)) is the Hoffmann Bromamide reaction.

In this reaction, acetamide is treated with bromine and alkali (like NaOH or KOH). The reaction results in the removal of the carbonyl group from the amide, converting it into a primary amine (in this case, methylamine). This is a very efficient method for converting amides to amines with one fewer carbon atom.

Mechanism:

The other given reactions are :

2. Carbylamine Reaction:

This reaction is used to detect primary amines, not for converting acetamide to methylamine. It involves the reaction of a primary amine with chloroform and KOH, forming an isocyanide (carbylamine) with a pungent smell. Hence, it is not applicable here.

3. Gabriel Phthalimide Reaction:

This reaction is specifically used to synthesize primary alkyl amine but not from amides. Instead, it starts with phthalimide and an alkyl halide to form a primary amine upon hydrolysis.

4. Stephen’s Reduction:

This reaction involves the reduction of nitriles to form aldehydes. It is not related to converting acetamide to methylamine.

Conclusion:
The correct reaction for the conversion of acetamide to methylamine is the Hoffmann Bromamide reaction.