Read the passage carefully and answer the questions.
Amines are considered to be derivatives of ammonia obtained by replacement of hydrogen atoms with alkyl or aryl groups. They are usually prepared from nitro compounds, halides, amides, imides etc. The presence of hydrogen bonding influences its physical properties. In alkylamines, a combination of electron releasing steric and hydrogen bonding factors influences the stability of substituted ammonium cations in protic polar solvents and thus affects the basic nature of amines. Alkyl amines are found to be stronger bases than ammonia which is more basic than water. Primary and secondary amines are engaged in intermolecular association due to hydrogen bonding. This intermolecular association is more in primary amines than in secondary amines. Tertiary amines do not have intermoleulcar association due to the absence of hydrogen atom available for hydrogen bonding. Thus, the boiling point of amines depends on hydrogen bonding. In aromatic amines, electron releasing and withdrawing groups increase and decrease their basic character. Aryl diazonium salts usually obtained from arylamine undergo replacement of the diazonium group with a variety of nucleophile. Their coupling reaction of aryl diazonium salts with phenol or arylamine results in formation of dyes.
Carbylamine reaction is used as a test for
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Primary aliphatic and aromatic amine
In the carbylamine reaction, for example with an alkyl amine or with aniline:
\( \displaystyle \ce{R-NH2 + CHCl3 + 3KOH} \xrightarrow{\text{heat}} \ce{R-NC + 3KCl + 3H2O} \)
\( \displaystyle \ce{C6H5-NH2 + CHCl3 + 3KOH} \xrightarrow{\text{heat}} \ce{C6H5-NC + 3KCl + 3H2O} \)
To form the R–N≡C group, the nitrogen must lose both of its hydrogen atoms. Only a primary amine has two H atoms on nitrogen, so only it gives the reaction, whether the group on nitrogen is alkyl (aliphatic) or aryl (aromatic).
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (1) Primary aliphatic amine — Incorrect. Aliphatic primary amines do give the test, but so do aromatic primary amines such as aniline (second equation above), so the answer is incomplete.
Option (3) Secondary aliphatic amine — Incorrect. \( \ce{R2NH} \) has only one H on nitrogen, not the two that are needed.
Option (4) Secondary aromatic amine — Incorrect. An aryl secondary amine such as \( \ce{C6H5NHCH3} \) also has only one H on nitrogen, so no isocyanide can form.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
Carbylamine Reaction

Note: The same/similar question has been asked in different years by NTA as per the details given below:
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07-06 S2 | 26-05 S2 23-05 S2 | – | – | – |