Question

How to distimguish between primary secondary and tertiary amines?

Answer 1

hey mate ,

   here is your answer :)

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• The Hinsberg test, which can distinguish primary, secondary, and tertiary amines, is based upon sulfonamide formation.
• In the Hinsberg test, an amine is reacted with benzene sulfonyl chloride. If a product forms, the amine is either a primary or secondary amine, because tertiary amines do not form stable sulfonamides.
• If the sulfonamide that forms dissolves in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, it is a primary amine.
• If the sulfonamide is insoluble in aqueous sodium hydroxide, it is a secondary amine.
• The sulfonamide of a primary amine is soluble in an aqueous base because it still possesses an acidic hydrogen on the nitrogen, which can be lost to form a sodium salt.

Answer 2

You can perform Carbylamine reaction which is a test for primary amines. Secondary and tertiary amines do not show this reaction.

RNH₂ + CHCl₃ + 3KOH ₋₋₋₋₋₋ RCN + 3KCl + 3H₂O