[Lafleche]

Hi everyone! So I've been working with an unknown compound.  The IR and NMR, as well as solubility test seem to point out that I have phenylethylamine.  I just did a derivative and I'll be measuring the MP next week. 

Now for my question, my compound is extremely reactive.   It has now dissolves a few plastic caps.  It seems to form a solid when in contact with air (around the cap).  The compound is yellow and is VERY smelly.  Would those be possible characteristics of phenylethylamine?  I tried doing a bit of research but I didn't come up with much.

Thanks!

[discodermolide]

I'm not sure about the dissolving caps. Amines will react with the CO₂ in the air to give the carbonate. This is probably the white solid.
It should be pale yellow to colourless. And it should smell like an amine, fishy!

[Lafleche]

Thanks for you're answer!  I definitely have an amine!  Goes well with the smell and the solid on the cap.  I was just a bit thrown off by the fact that its very dark yellow, almost orangy, I've never seen an amine that color before.  It is also not soluble at all in HCl, I was expecting it to be a bit more soluble since it's primary.

 

[discodermolide]

Amines usually darken with age, they get oxidised my atmospheric oxygen and eventually go dark brown/black!

[Lafleche]

That's good to know! Thanks!