Question

What is action of nitrous acid on ethylamine diethylamine and triethylamine

Answer 1

This reaction of nitrous acid with different classes of amines i.e primary amines, secondary amines, and tertiary amines is normally used to test for these different classes.

1. Ethylamine is a primary amine hence a vigorous reaction with evolution of a gas takes place.

2. Diethylamine is a secondary amine and in this case no gas is produced but a compound with a characteristic yellow color is formed. This compound is called nitrosamine.

3. Triethylamine is a tertiary amine and in this case no observation change.