Carbylamine reaction is used as a test for
(A) aromatic primary amine
(B) aliphatic primary amine
(C) aliphatic secondary amine
(D) substituted aromatic secondary amine
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (A) and (B) only
The Carbylamine reaction (also known as the Isocyanide test) is a distinctive chemical test used to identify a specific class of amines.
The Carbylamine Reaction
- Reactants: The reaction involves heating the amine with chloroform ($CHCl_3$) and an alcoholic solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH).
- Product: The characteristic product is an isocyanide (or carbylamine, R-NC), which has a foul and offensive odor.
- General Equation:
$R-NH_2+CHCl_3+3KOH\overset{Heat}{\longrightarrow}R-NC+3KCl+3H_2O$
Scope of the Reaction
This reaction is only given by Primary Amines.
- Aromatic Primary Amine ($Ar-NH_2$): E.g., Aniline.
- Result: Gives the test, forming a foul-smelling aryl isocyanide (Ar-NC).
- (A) Aromatic primary amine → Yes
- Aliphatic Primary Amine ($R-NH_2$): E.g., Ethylamine.
- Result: Gives the test, forming a foul-smelling alkyl isocyanide (R-NC).
- (B) Aliphatic primary amine → Yes
- Aliphatic Secondary Amine ($R_2NH$): E.g., Diethylamine.
- Result: Does not give the Carbylamine reaction.
- (C) Aliphatic secondary amine → No
- Substituted Aromatic Secondary Amine (Ar-NH-R): E.g., N-methylaniline.
- Result: Does not give the Carbylamine reaction.
- (D) Substituted aromatic secondary amine → No
Conclusion
The Carbylamine reaction is a specific test for both aromatic primary amines (A) and aliphatic primary amines (B).