Question

Write a short nots on Hoffman Carbylamine reaction.

Answer 1

This reaction is used to identify the presence of primary amines.

In this reaction, aliphatic and aromatic primary amines are heated with chloroform and ethanolic potassium hydroxide to form carbylamines or isocyanides.

The carbylamines contains a very unpleasant odour.

You can not use this reaction for secondary and tertiary amines.