Q.Write chemical equations for the following conversions:
Concept understanding — Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions
Nucleophilic Addition – From Intuition to Precision
Imagine you have a molecule with a carbon–oxygen double bond — a carbonyl group (C=O). That oxygen is greedy for electrons; it pulls them away from carbon, leaving the carbon slightly positive (δ+) and the oxygen slightly negative (δ−). Now, if you bring a species that is rich in electrons (a nucleophile, meaning "nucleus-loving"), it will naturally be attracted to that electron-deficient carbon. The nucleophile attacks the carbon, the π bond breaks, and the oxygen picks up a proton (or some other electrophile) to become stable. That, in a nutshell, is nucleophilic addition.
The key idea: a nucleophile adds across a polar multiple bond (usually C=O or C≡N), breaking the π bond and forming two new sigma bonds.
The Precise Statement
Nucleophilic addition is a reaction in which a nucleophile (an electron-rich species) forms a sigma bond with an electrophilic carbon atom of a polar multiple bond (typically a carbonyl group, C=O, or a nitrile, C≡N), while the π bond breaks. The resulting intermediate then captures a proton (or another electrophile) to give a neutral product.
In general form:
RX2C=O+NuX−HX+RX2C(OH)Nu
The nucleophile (NuX−) attacks the carbonyl carbon; the oxygen becomes negatively charged; then a proton (HX+) from the medium attaches to the oxygen, yielding an alcohol.
Why It Happens – The Driving Force
The carbonyl carbon is electrophilic because:
- Oxygen is more electronegative than carbon, so the C=O bond is polarised: CXδ+=OXδ−.
- The π bond is weaker than a σ bond, so it can break relatively easily.
A nucleophile (like OHX−, CNX−, or NHX3) has a lone pair or a negative charge. It seeks positive centres. The attack forms a new σ bond, and the π electrons move entirely to oxygen, creating an alkoxide ion (RX2C−OX−). This intermediate is then quenched by a proton.
A common mistake: thinking the nucleophile attacks the oxygen. No — oxygen is already electron-rich; the nucleophile goes to the carbon because it is electron-deficient.
A Concrete Example – Addition of HCN to a Ketone
Take acetone (CHX3COCHX3) and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). In the presence of a base, CNX− (the nucleophile) attacks the carbonyl carbon:
CHX3COCHX3+CNX−CHX3C(OX−)(CN)CHX3
The alkoxide intermediate then picks up a proton from HCN (or from water) to give a cyanohydrin:
CHX3C(OX−)(CN)CHX3+HX+CHX3C(OH)(CN)CHX3
The product is acetone cyanohydrin. Notice: two new sigma bonds formed (C−CN and O−H), and the π bond is gone.
What Makes a Good Nucleophile?
Strong nucleophiles are usually negatively charged or have lone pairs:
- OHX−, CNX−, NHX2X−, CHX3OX−, HX− (from hydride reagents like NaBHX4 or LiAlHX4)
- Neutral but polarisable: NHX3, HX2O (weaker, but can add under acidic conditions)
In exams, remember: hydride ion (HX−) is a nucleophile in reductions (e.g., NaBHX4 reduces aldehydes/ketones to alcohols via nucleophilic addition).
The Big Picture – Why This Matters
Nucleophilic addition is the fundamental reaction of carbonyl compounds. It is how:
- Aldehydes and ketones form alcohols (with NaBHX4 or LiAlHX4)
- Cyanohydrins are made (important in organic synthesis)
- Grignard reagents (RMgX) add to carbonyls to form new carbon–carbon bonds
- Hemiacetals and acetals form (key in carbohydrate chemistry)
Every time you see a C=O group, think: this carbon is a target for nucleophiles.
Final Answer
Nucleophilic addition is a reaction where an electron-rich nucleophile attacks the electrophilic carbon of a polar multiple bond (typically C=O or C≡N), breaking the π bond and forming two new sigma bonds — one to the nucleophile and one to a proton (or other electrophile). The driving force is the polarity of the C=O bond and the stability gained by forming stronger sigma bonds.
Nucleophilic addition reactions of carbonyl compounds form a central part of the NCERT Class 12 Chemistry chapter on aldehydes and ketones, and questions on cyanohydrin formation or the role of hydride nucleophiles like NaBH4 are common in CBSE boards and JEE Main. Students searching "nucleophilic addition mechanism class 12 chemistry important questions" will find this carbonyl-carbon-attack explanation is the standard NCERT approach.
Why this formula?
Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions: Why the Key Formulas Hold
Nucleophilic substitution reactions are a cornerstone of organic chemistry. Instead of just memorizing the rate laws, let's understand why they arise from the molecular events.
1. The Two Main Mechanisms: A Tale of Timing
The key formulas (rate laws) for nucleophilic substitution come directly from how many molecules are involved in the rate-determining step (RDS) — the slowest step that controls the overall reaction speed.
SN1: Unimolecular — The Leaving Group Goes First
The Rate Law:
Rate=k[RX]
Why?
The reaction happens in two steps:
- Slow step (RDS): The C–X bond breaks spontaneously, forming a carbocation intermediate. Only the substrate (RX) is involved.
RXslowR++X−
- Fast step: The nucleophile (Nu−) attacks the carbocation.
R++Nu−fastRNu
Since the slow step depends only on the concentration of RX, the rate law has no dependence on [Nu−]. The nucleophile arrives after the carbocation is formed — it cannot affect the speed of the first step.
Key insight: The rate is determined by how easily the leaving group leaves, not by how fast the nucleophile attacks.
SN2: Bimolecular — Simultaneous Attack and Departure
The Rate Law:
Rate=k[RX][Nu−]
Why?
The reaction occurs in one concerted step:
- The nucleophile attacks the carbon from one side at the same time as the leaving group departs from the opposite side.
- Both RX and Nu− must collide with the correct orientation and sufficient energy.
The rate depends on the frequency of productive collisions between the two molecules. This is directly proportional to the product of their concentrations:
Rate∝[RX]×[Nu−]
Key insight: Both partners are involved in the transition state simultaneously — if either is missing, the reaction cannot proceed.
2. The Transition State: Why the Formulas Are Not Just "Given"
For SN2, the transition state has a pentavalent carbon (five bonds partially formed/broken). The energy barrier depends on steric hindrance — bulkier groups around carbon make it harder for the nucleophile to approach, which is why SN2 is favored at primary carbons.
For SN1, the transition state of the slow step involves only bond breaking (no bond formation yet). The carbocation stability (tertiary > secondary > primary) determines the activation energy — this is why SN1 is favored at tertiary carbons.
3. The Temperature Dependence: The Arrhenius Equation
Both rate constants k follow the Arrhenius equation:
k=Ae−Ea/RT
- A = frequency factor (how often collisions occur with correct orientation)
- Ea = activation energy (the energy barrier for the RDS)
- R = gas constant
- T = temperature
This is not a separate formula — it explains why the rate constants change with temperature. Higher T increases the fraction of molecules with energy ≥Ea, speeding up the reaction.
4. Summary: The "Why" in One Table
| Mechanism | Rate Law | Why? (Molecular Reason) |
|---|---|---|
| SN1 | Rate=k[RX] | Slow step involves only the substrate breaking apart. Nucleophile waits. |
| SN2 | Rate=k[RX][Nu−] | Both molecules must collide in the single, concerted step. |
Final takeaway: The formulas are not arbitrary — they are direct consequences of which molecules are present in the slowest step. Always ask: "What is happening in the rate-determining step?" The answer gives you the rate law.
Concept: Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions (SN2) — using cyanide ion as a nucleophile to extend the carbon chain by one carbon, followed by reduction of the nitrile to a primary amine.
Reasoning:
- Both starting materials are primary alkyl halides. Treat each with alcoholic KCN (or NaCN) to perform an SN2 attack, replacing the chlorine with a cyano group (−CN). This adds one carbon atom.
- The resulting nitrile (−CN) is then reduced to a primary amine (−CH2NH2). A common reducing agent for this step is LiAlH4 in dry ether, or catalytic hydrogenation (H2/Ni or H2/Pd).
Stepwise equations:
- CH3−CH2−ClKCN(alc.)CH3−CH2−CNLiAlH4/H2OCH3−CH2−CH2−NH2
- C6H5−CH2−ClKCN(alc.)C6H5−CH2−CNLiAlH4/H2OC6H5−CH2−CH2−NH2
✓Final answer
The conversions are achieved via SN2 with KCN followed by LiAlH4 reduction.
Both conversions are one-carbon chain elongations using the cyanide ion (CN−) as a nucleophile in an SN2 reaction, followed by reduction of the nitrile (−CN) to a primary amine (−CH2NH2). The final products are propan-1-amine and 2-phenylethan-1-amine, respectively.
The Core Idea: Nucleophilic Substitution + Reduction
You have an alkyl halide (a good electrophile) and you want a product whose carbon chain is one carbon longer, ending in CH2NH2. The way to do that is to replace the halogen with a carbon nucleophile that carries the nitrogen, then reduce.
The cyanide ion (CN−) is perfect: it's a strong nucleophile, attacks the carbon bearing the halogen in an SN2 reaction, and the resulting nitrile (R–CN) can be reduced to R–CH2NH2 — exactly the product you need, with the nitrile carbon supplying the extra CH2.
A common mistake is to reach for direct amination with NH3, or for the Gabriel phthalimide synthesis. Both of those put the nitrogen onto the same carbon skeleton — from CH3CH2Cl they give ethylamine (2 carbons), not the 3-carbon target propan-1-amine. Because each target here is one carbon longer than its halide, only a chain-extending route works, and the cyanide route is the standard one. Always count carbons before picking a method.
Step-by-Step Solution
1. First conversion: CH3CH2Cl→CH3CH2CH2NH2
Step 1a: Nucleophilic substitution with KCN (or NaCN)
The chlorine atom is a good leaving group. In ethanol (the NCERT solution writes "ethanolic NaCN" — ethanol is a polar protic solvent, and the reaction works well in it), the cyanide ion attacks the electrophilic carbon.
CH3CH2Cl+KCNethanolCH3CH2CN+KCl
This is an SN2 reaction — the cyanide approaches from the back, inverting the configuration (though here the carbon is not chiral, so no stereochemical consequence). The product is propanenitrile (ethyl cyanide).
Step 1b: Reduction of the nitrile to a primary amine
The nitrile group (−CN) can be reduced to a primary amine (−CH2NH2) using a strong reducing agent. The classic choice is lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH4) in dry ether, followed by hydrolysis. Alternatively, catalytic hydrogenation (H2/Ni) works equally well — that is the reagent NCERT itself uses in part (ii).
CH3CH2CN1. LiAlH4/ether2. H2OCH3CH2CH2NH2
The reduction adds two hydrogen atoms to the carbon and one to the nitrogen, converting the triple bond into a single bond.
You can also use H2 / Raney Ni with ammonia to avoid coupling side-products (secondary amines). But LiAlH4 or plain H2/Ni is entirely acceptable in a typical exam context.
Overall equation for (i):
CH3CH2ClKCNCH3CH2CNLiAlH4/H2OCH3CH2CH2NH2
2. Second conversion: C6H5CH2Cl→C6H5CH2CH2NH2
Step 2a: Nucleophilic substitution with KCN
Benzyl chloride (C6H5CH2Cl) is even more reactive toward SN2 than a simple primary halide — the adjacent aromatic ring stabilises the transition state, so cyanide attack is fast.
C6H5CH2Cl+KCNethanolC6H5CH2CN+KCl
The product is phenylacetonitrile (phenylethanenitrile / benzyl cyanide).
Step 2b: Reduction of the nitrile
Same reduction as before (H2/Ni, as NCERT writes, or LiAlH4):
C6H5CH2CN1. LiAlH4/ether2. H2OC6H5CH2CH2NH2
The product is 2-phenylethan-1-amine (phenethylamine).
Phenethylamine is a naturally occurring compound (found in chocolate and some brain chemistry) — a nice real-world connection.
Overall equation for (ii):
C6H5CH2ClKCNC6H5CH2CNLiAlH4/H2OC6H5CH2CH2NH2
The required conversions are:
- CH3CH2ClKCNCH3CH2CNLiAlH4/H2OCH3CH2CH2NH2
- C6H5CH2ClKCNC6H5CH2CNLiAlH4/H2OC6H5CH2CH2NH2
Method: Nucleophilic Substitution via Alkyl Cyanide (Nitrile → Amine)
This is a two-step chain elongation method using cyanide ion (CN−) as a nucleophile, followed by reduction.
General Principle
- Step 1: Alkyl halide undergoes SN2 with KCN (or NaCN, in ethanol — NCERT writes "ethanolic NaCN") to form an alkyl cyanide (nitrile).
- Step 2: The nitrile is reduced (e.g., with LiAlH4 or catalytic hydrogenation, H2/Ni) to a primary amine with one extra carbon.
(i) CH3−CH2−Cl→CH3−CH2−CH2−NH2
Step 1 — Nucleophilic substitution:
CH3−CH2−Cl+KCNethanolΔCH3−CH2−CN+KCl
Step 2 — Reduction of nitrile:
CH3−CH2−CN+4[H]LiAlH4 or H2/NiCH3−CH2−CH2−NH2
Key point: The cyanide carbon becomes the extra CH2 group next to the amine.
(ii) C6H5−CH2−Cl→C6H5−CH2−CH2−NH2
Step 1 — Nucleophilic substitution:
C6H5−CH2−Cl+KCNethanolΔC6H5−CH2−CN+KCl
Step 2 — Reduction of nitrile:
C6H5−CH2−CN+4[H]LiAlH4 or H2/NiC6H5−CH2−CH2−NH2
Key point: Benzyl chloride (C6H5CH2Cl) is especially reactive in SN2 — the adjacent aromatic ring stabilises the transition state — so the substitution proceeds smoothly.
Summary of the Method
| Step | Reaction Type | Reagent | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SN2 | KCN (ethanolic) | Alkyl cyanide (nitrile) |
| 2 | Reduction | LiAlH4 or H2/Ni | Primary amine (+1 carbon) |
Final result: Both conversions increase the carbon chain by one and introduce a primary amine at the terminal position.
Here are the common mistakes students make when solving these nucleophilic substitution conversions, along with how to avoid each.
Mistake 1: Choosing a Route That Doesn't Change the Carbon Count
The Mistake:
Students reach for a standard amine preparation — direct ammonolysis or the Gabriel phthalimide synthesis — without counting carbons:
- CH3CH2Cl+NH3→CH3CH2NH2 ✗ (ethylamine — only 2 carbons)
- CH3CH2Cl + potassium phthalimide → N-ethylphthalimide → hydrolysis → CH3CH2NH2 ✗ (still ethylamine)
Why it's wrong:
Both routes attach nitrogen to the existing carbon skeleton. The target of (i) is CH3CH2CH2NH2 (propan-1-amine, 3 carbons) — one carbon longer than the starting halide — so any route that doesn't add a carbon cannot give it.
How to Avoid:
Count carbons first. A one-carbon extension means the cyanide route: the CN− nucleophile supplies the extra carbon, and reduction turns −C≡N into −CH2NH2.
✓ Correct approach for (i):
- CH3CH2Cl+KCNethanolCH3CH2CN+KCl
- Reduction (LiAlH4 or H2/Ni) → CH3CH2CH2NH2
Mistake 2: Forgetting the Carbon Chain Length in (ii)
The Mistake:
Students write the product as C6H5CH2NH2 (benzylamine) instead of C6H5CH2CH2NH2 (2-phenylethan-1-amine).
Why it's wrong:
The target has two carbons between the benzene ring and the amino group. The starting material has only one carbon. You must increase the chain length by one carbon.
How to Avoid:
Always count the carbon atoms in the product vs. starting material. If the product has one more carbon, you need a cyanide ion (CN−) as the nucleophile first, then reduce.
✓ Correct approach for (ii):
- C6H5CH2Cl + KCN (ethanolic) → C6H5CH2CN (benzyl cyanide)
- Reduction: H2/Ni or LiAlH₄ → C6H5CH2CH2NH2
Mistake 3: Inventing "Better" Solvent Conditions Than the Standard Ones
The Mistake:
Insisting the substitution must be run in an anhydrous polar aprotic solvent (acetone, DMF) and marking the ethanol route wrong.
Why it's wrong:
The standard (and NCERT's own printed) condition for this reaction is ethanolic NaCN/KCN — cyanide is a strong enough nucleophile that the SN2 displacement works well in ethanol. Aprotic solvents can accelerate SN2 reactions, but they are not required here, and "correcting" the printed conditions loses marks.
How to Avoid:
Write the reagent the syllabus uses: ethanolic KCN (or NaCN), with heating. Mention SN2 as the mechanism.
Mistake 4: Choosing a Reducing Agent That Doesn't Reduce Nitriles to Primary Amines
The Mistake:
Using NaBH4 (which does not reduce nitriles), or DIBAL-H (which stops at the aldehyde stage), and expecting a primary amine.
How to Avoid:
For R−CN→R−CH2NH2, use LiAlH4 in dry ether (then water) or catalytic hydrogenation (H2/Ni) — the reagent NCERT itself uses. (H2/Raney Ni with ammonia suppresses secondary-amine coupling by-products, a useful refinement but not required.)
✓ Correct reduction:
R−CNLiAlH4/ether, then H2O (or H2/Ni)R−CH2NH2
Mistake 5: Writing Incomplete or Unbalanced Equations
The Mistake:
Writing only the organic product and forgetting byproducts (like KCl) or not balancing atoms.
Example of wrong:
CH3CH2Cl+KCN→CH3CH2CN (missing KCl)
How to Avoid:
Always write complete, balanced equations with all products. Check that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides.
✓ Correct:
CH3CH2Cl+KCNethanolCH3CH2CN+KCl
Quick Summary Table
| Mistake | How to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Same-carbon-count route (direct NH3, Gabriel) | Count carbons — a +1 extension needs CN− then reduction |
| Forgetting chain extension in (ii) | Use CN− then reduce |
| "Correcting" the solvent | Ethanolic KCN/NaCN is the standard condition |
| Wrong reduction reagent | Use LiAlH4 or H2/Ni (not NaBH4/DIBAL-H) |
| Unbalanced equations | Always write complete products |
Final Tip: For primary amine preparation from alkyl halides, remember two standard routes:
- No chain extension → Gabriel phthalimide
- Chain extension by one carbon → KCN followed by reduction
Both targets in this question are one carbon longer than their halides — so both must go through the cyanide route.
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.The reagent which is used to distinguish C6H5N(CH3)2 and (C2H5)2NH is (anhy = anhydrous, conc = concentrated, alc = alcoholic) (A) C6H5SO2Cl (B) Anhy. ZnCl2 ∣ conc. HCl (C) CrO3 ∣ H2SO4 (D) CHCl3 ∣ alc. KOH
›Reveal solutionSolution
The pair is a tertiary amine and a secondary amine. Only Hinsberg's reagent, C6H5SO2Cl (option A), separates them: the secondary amine gives an alkali-insoluble sulphonamide, the tertiary amine does not react.
The concept first
Before choosing a reagent, classify the two compounds:
- C6H5N(CH3)2 (N,N-dimethylaniline): the nitrogen carries three carbon groups → tertiary amine, no N–H.
- (C2H5)2NH (diethylamine): the nitrogen carries two carbon groups and one H → secondary amine, one N–H.
So you need a test that distinguishes 2∘ from 3∘ — i.e. a test that keys off the presence of an N–H bond, not off basicity.
Hinsberg's test does exactly that. Benzenesulphonyl chloride acylates the nitrogen, but only if there is an N–H available:
- 1∘ amine → C6H5SO2NHR. The N–H left over is made acidic by the two electron-withdrawing S=O groups → the sulphonamide dissolves in KOH/NaOH.
- 2∘ amine → C6H5SO2NR2. No N–H remains, so the sulphonamide is a solid that is insoluble in alkali.
- 3∘ amine → no reaction (no N–H to substitute); the amine remains as an oily layer, dissolving only on adding acid.
Step-by-step
- Test option (D), CHCl3 + alc. KOH (carbylamine). It gives the foul-smelling isocyanide only with primary amines. Both compounds here are non-primary → both give a negative test → cannot distinguish. ✗
- Test option (B), anhy. ZnCl2 + conc. HCl (Lucas reagent). This is a test for alcohols (distinguishing 1∘/2∘/3∘ ROH by turbidity). Amines are not alcohols. ✗
- Test option (C), CrO3/H2SO4. An oxidising mixture; it does not give two clearly different, characteristic observations for these two amines. ✗
- Test option (A), C6H5SO2Cl (Hinsberg).
- With (C2H5)2NH (2∘):
C6H5SO2Cl+(C2H5)2NH→C6H5SO2N(C2H5)2+HCl
a **solid sulphonamide, insoluble in aqueous KOH** — a clear positive observation.- With C6H5N(CH3)2 (3∘): no reaction — the amine is recovered unchanged. Two visibly different outcomes → the reagent distinguishes them. ✓
✓Final answerBenzenesulphonyl chloride (Hinsberg's reagent) reacts with the secondary amine but not with the tertiary amine, so the correct option is (A).
ANSWER: A
- TG EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-08-FN1 markMCQQ.An organic compound C7H9N on reduction with reagent X gave Y. Reaction of Y with p-toluene sulphonyl chloride gave Z which is insoluble in alkali. X and Y respectively are (A) LiAlH4 , C6H5−CH2−NH2 (benzylamine) (B) NaBH4 , C6H5−NHCH3 (N-methylaniline) (C) H2∣Ni , C6H5−CH2−NH2 (benzylamine) (D) H2∣Ni , C6H5−NHCH3 (N-methylaniline)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The alkali-insoluble benzenesulphonamide tells us Y must be a secondary amine, which fixes Y=C6H5NHCH3; a secondary amine of this shape arises from catalytic reduction of an isocyanide, so X=H2/Ni. Option (D).
The concept: why alkali-solubility identifies the class of amine
When an amine reacts with a sulphonyl chloride (Hinsberg's reagent, here p-toluenesulphonyl chloride):
- 1° amine RNH2 gives RNH−SO2Ar. The N–H left on nitrogen sits between an electron-withdrawing SO2 group and the ring, so it is acidic — the sulphonamide dissolves in NaOH forming a salt.
- 2° amine R2NH gives R2N−SO2Ar. Nitrogen now has no hydrogen at all, nothing to ionise, so the product is insoluble in alkali.
- 3° amine does not react at all.
So "Z is insoluble in alkali" is a direct statement that Y is a secondary amine.
Step-by-step
- Use the Hinsberg clue. Z insoluble in alkali ⇒ Y has no N–H after sulphonylation ⇒ Y is 2°.
- Screen the options. C6H5CH2NH2 (benzylamine) is a primary amine — its tosylamide C6H5CH2NH−SO2C6H4CH3 still has an acidic N–H and would dissolve in KOH. So options (A) and (C) are out. Y must be C6H5NHCH3.
- Now identify the reduction. A secondary amine bearing an N−CH3 group is the hallmark product of reducing an isocyanide (carbylamine):
C6H5−NC+4[H] H2/Ni C6H5−NH−CH3
Contrast with a nitrile, R−C≡N+4[H]→R−CH2−NH2, which always gives a primary amine — that is the benzylamine route, already ruled out.
4. Pick the reagent. NaBH4 is too mild for this reduction (it does not reduce nitriles/isocyanides), so option (B) fails. Catalytic hydrogenation, H2∣Ni, is the standard reagent.
5. Confirm the sequence:
substrate H2/Ni C6H5NHCH3 (Y) TsCl C6H5N(CH3)SO2C6H4CH3 (Z), no N–H⇒alkali-insoluble ✓
✓Final answerX is H2∣Ni and Y is N-methylaniline (C6H5NHCH3), so the correct option is (D).
ANSWER: D
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.Identify the set, in which X and Y are correctly matched (A) NH2OH, Hydrazone (B) NH2NH2, Semicarbazone (C) C6H5NH2, Schiff base (D) RNH2, Oxime
›Reveal solutionSolution
The question asks which pair of reagent (X) and product (Y) is correctly matched. The correct match is aniline (C6H5NH2) with Schiff base, so option (C) is correct.
Concept & Intuition
This is a classic organic chemistry matching problem about carbonyl derivatives. Each reagent (X) reacts with a carbonyl compound (aldehyde or ketone) to give a specific nitrogen-containing derivative. The key is to recall the functional group of the product formed:
- Oximes come from hydroxylamine (NH2OH).
- Hydrazones come from hydrazine (NH2NH2).
- Semicarbazones come from semicarbazide (NH2NHCONH2).
- Schiff bases (imines) come from primary amines (RNH2), especially aromatic ones like aniline.
Let’s check each option step by step.
-
Option (A): NH2OH → Hydrazone
Hydroxylamine (NH2OH) reacts with a carbonyl to form an oxime (with a C=NOH group), not a hydrazone. Hydrazones come from hydrazine. So this is incorrect.
-
Option (B): NH2NH2 → Semicarbazone
Hydrazine (NH2NH2) gives a hydrazone (C=NNH2). Semicarbazones require semicarbazide (NH2NHCONH2). So this is incorrect.
-
Option (C): C6H5NH2 → Schiff base
Aniline (C6H5NH2) is a primary aromatic amine. It reacts with aldehydes/ketones to form an imine (also called a Schiff base), with the general structure C6H5N=CR2. This is correct.
-
Option (D): RNH2 → Oxime
A generic primary amine (RNH2) forms an imine (Schiff base), not an oxime. Oximes require hydroxylamine. So this is incorrect.
Watch outA common mistake is confusing the product names: remember that “oxime” always comes from hydroxylamine, “hydrazone” from hydrazine, “semicarbazone” from semicarbazide, and “Schiff base” from a primary amine.
TipA quick mnemonic: Hydroxylamine → Oxime (both have “O”); Hydrazine → Hydrazone; Semicarbazide → Semicarbazone; Amine → Azomethine (Schiff base).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C).
ANSWER: C
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.Identify what is Y in the following reaction sequence?
[!FORMULA] CH3−CO−NH2Br2NaOH (aq)X(i) NaNO2+HCl(ii) H2OY
(A) CH3NH2 (B) CH3CONHBr (C) CH3OH (D) BrCH2CONH2›Reveal solutionSolution
Acetamide undergoes Hofmann bromamide degradation to methylamine (X); nitrous acid converts this primary aliphatic amine into an unstable diazonium ion that immediately loses NX2 and picks up water, giving methanol — option (C).
The concept first: why aliphatic diazonium salts die instantly
Diazotisation (NaNOX2+HCl) makes the same −NX2X+ group from any primary amine. The difference is stability. In an aryl diazonium salt the −NX2X+ is conjugated with the ring, so at 273–278 K it survives long enough to be used in coupling/Sandmeyer reactions. In an alkyl diazonium ion there is no such delocalisation, and NX2 is an outstanding leaving group — so the ion falls apart the moment it forms, giving a carbocation that the solvent (water) captures. That is why primary aliphatic amines simply effervesce and give alcohols with nitrous acid.
Step-by-step
Step 1 — Identify X. Acetamide with bromine in aqueous alkali is the textbook Hofmann bromamide degradation:
CHX3CONHX2+BrX2+4NaOHCHX3NHX2+NaX2COX3+2NaBr+2HX2O
So X=CHX3NHX2 (methanamine). Notice the carbon count drops from 2 to 1 — the carbonyl carbon leaves as carbonate.
Step 2 — Diazotise X.
CHX3NHX2NaNOX2+HClCHX3−N+≡N ClX−
Step 3 — Let it decompose in water.
CHX3−NX2X+CHX3X++NX2↑
CHX3X++HX2OCHX3OH+HX+
So Y=CHX3OH.
Step 4 — Rule out the others. (A) CHX3NHX2 is X, not Y. (B) CHX3CONHBr is only the intermediate N-bromoamide inside step 1. (D) would require ring/α-bromination, which BrX2/NaOH on an amide does not do.
✓Final answerY is methanol, CHX3OH, so the correct option is (C).
ANSWER: C
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.An amine (X) reacts with p-toluene sulphonyl chloride to give the product Y, which is insoluble in alkali. The product of X with benzoyl chloride is (A) CH3CH2CH(NH2)−COC6H5 (B) CH3CH2CH2N(CH3)COCH2C6H5 (C) CH3CH2NHCOC6H5 (D) CH3CH2N(CH3)COC6H5
›Reveal solutionSolution
A sulphonamide that is insoluble in alkali can only come from a secondary amine, so X is CHX3CHX2NHCHX3; benzoyl chloride then acylates its nitrogen to give CHX3CHX2N(CHX3)COCX6HX5 — option (D).
The concept first: why alkali-solubility fingerprints the amine class
p-Toluenesulphonyl chloride (a Hinsberg-type reagent) reacts with the amine's lone pair, replacing an N−H hydrogen with the bulky −SOX2Ar group:
- Primary amine R−NHX2 → R−NH−SOX2Ar. One N−H remains. That hydrogen is acidic, because the resulting anion is stabilised by the strongly electron-withdrawing sulphonyl group. Hence the product dissolves in KOH/NaOH.
- Secondary amine RX2NH → RX2N−SOX2Ar. No N−H is left. There is no acidic proton to remove, so the product is insoluble in alkali. ✓
- Tertiary amine RX3N → no reaction (there is no N−H to substitute in the first place), so no product Y at all.
The stem says a product Y forms and is insoluble in alkali. Both facts together force X to be secondary.
Step-by-step
Step 1 — Classify X. Product formed ⇒ not tertiary. Product alkali-insoluble ⇒ not primary. Therefore X is a 2∘ amine.
Step 2 — Benzoylation (Schotten–Baumann). Benzoyl chloride CX6HX5COCl acylates the amine nitrogen:
RX2NH+CX6HX5COClRX2N−CO−CX6HX5+HCl
The amide nitrogen ends up carrying both original alkyl groups plus the benzoyl group — i.e. it is a tertiary (N,N-disubstituted) amide with no N−H.
Step 3 — Test each option against "benzoyl on a 2∘ nitrogen".
- (A) CHX3CHX2CH(NHX2)COCX6HX5 — the benzoyl is on carbon, and a free −NHX2 survives. Wrong on both counts.
- (B) CHX3CHX2CHX2N(CHX3)COCHX2CX6HX5 — the acyl group here is −COCHX2CX6HX5 (phenylacetyl), not benzoyl −COCX6HX5.
- (C) CHX3CHX2NHCOCX6HX5 — this amide still has an N−H, so it must have come from a primary amine (CHX3CHX2NHX2). But a primary amine would have given an alkali-soluble Y. Contradiction.
- (D) CHX3CHX2N(CHX3)COCX6HX5 — nitrogen carries ethyl + methyl + benzoyl: exactly what you get by benzoylating the secondary amine CHX3CHX2−NH−CHX3. ✓
Step 4 — Back-substitute and check. With X=CHX3CHX2NHCHX3, the sulphonamide would be CHX3CHX2N(CHX3)SOX2CX6HX4CHX3 — no N−H, insoluble in alkali. ✓ Everything is consistent.
✓Final answerX is the secondary amine N-methylethanamine, whose benzoylation gives CHX3CHX2N(CHX3)COCX6HX5, so the correct option is (D).
ANSWER: D
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-18-FN1 markMCQQ.Lithium nitrate on heating gives (A) Li2O+NO2 (B) Li2O+NO2+O2 (C) LiNO2+O2 (D) Li2O2+NO2+O2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Lithium nitrate decomposes differently from other alkali metal nitrates because of the small size and high polarising power of Li⁺; it gives Li2O, NO2, and O2, so the correct option is (B).
Concept & Intuition
Most alkali metal nitrates (like NaNO₃, KNO₃) decompose on strong heating to give the nitrite and oxygen:
2MNO3→2MNO2+O2.
But lithium is an exception. Because Li⁺ is very small, it has a high charge density and strongly polarises the nitrate ion. This destabilises the nitrate, causing it to break down further — lithium nitrite (LiNO₂) itself is unstable at high temperature and decomposes to lithium oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and oxygen. So the final products are not simply nitrite + O₂, but oxide + NO₂ + O₂.
Step-by-step reasoning
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General trend for alkali metal nitrates
For Na, K, Rb, Cs:
2MNO3Δ2MNO2+O2
The nitrite is stable at the decomposition temperature.
-
Lithium’s anomaly
Li⁺ is much smaller than other alkali ions. Its high polarising power weakens the N–O bonds in the nitrate ion, so decomposition occurs at a lower temperature and proceeds further.
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First step – formation of nitrite
Initially, LiNO₃ does form LiNO₂ and O₂:
2LiNO3→2LiNO2+O2
But LiNO₂ is not stable at the temperature needed for decomposition.
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Second step – further decomposition of LiNO₂
Lithium nitrite decomposes to lithium oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and oxygen:
2LiNO2→Li2O+NO2+NO
However, NO reacts immediately with O₂ to give NO₂:
2NO+O2→2NO2
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Overall net reaction
Combining the steps:
4LiNO3→2Li2O+4NO2+O2
Dividing by 2 gives the simplest form:
2LiNO3→Li2O+2NO2+21O2
So the products are Li2O, NO2, and O2.
Watch outA common mistake is to assume lithium behaves like sodium or potassium and pick option (C) LiNO2+O2. But LiNO₂ is thermally unstable — it does not survive the heating.
TipRemember the “lithium exception” for nitrates, carbonates, and hydroxides: small cation → greater polarisation → more extensive decomposition.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
ANSWER: B
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