Question

Distinguish between primary secondary tertiary amine by h n o 2

Answer 1

Nitrous acid ( HNO2 or HONO ) reacts with aliphatic amines in a fashion that provides a useful test for distinguishing primary, secondary and tertiary amines.

1°-Amines + HONO (cold acidic solution) → Nitrogen Gas Evolution from a Clear Solution

2°-Amines + HONO (cold acidic solution) → An Insoluble Oil (N-Nitrosamine)

3°-Amines + HONO (cold acidic solution) → A Clear Solution (Ammonium Salt Formation)