Question

can any1 give the tests to distinguish between primary, secondary and tertiary amines?

Answer 1

The Hinsberg reaction is a l test for the detection of primary, secondary and tertiary amines. In this test, the amine is shaken well with Hinsberg reagent in the presence of aqueous alkali (either KOH or NaOH). A reagent containing an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and benzenesulfonyl chloride is added to a substrate. A primary amine will form a soluble sulfonamide salt. Acidification of this salt then precipitates the sulfonamide of the primary amine. A secondary amine in the same reaction will directly form an insoluble sulfonamide. A tertiary amine will not react with the sulfonamide but is insoluble. After adding dilute acid this insoluble amine is converted to a soluble Ammonium salt. In this way the reaction can distinguish between the three types of amines.