Question

Which is used to distinguish 1 degree amine with other amines?

Answer 1

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.