Explain the isocyanide test.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
Carbylamine reaction: Aliphatic and aromatic primary amines,when heated with chloroform $(CHCl_3)$ and ethanolic potassium hydroxide $(KOH)$,form isocyanides or carbylamines,which are foul-smelling substances.
Secondary and tertiary amines do not undergo this reaction.
This reaction is known as the carbylamine reaction or isocyanide test and is used as a diagnostic test for primary amines.
General reaction:
$R-NH_2 + CHCl_3 + 3KOH \xrightarrow{\Delta} R-NC + 3KCl + 3H_2O$
Example with methanamine:
$CH_3NH_2 + CHCl_3 + 3KOH \xrightarrow{\Delta} CH_3-NC + 3KCl + 3H_2O$
Example with aniline:
$C_6H_5NH_2 + CHCl_3 + 3KOH \xrightarrow{\Delta} C_6H_5-NC + 3KCl + 3H_2O$

Explore More

Similar Questions

Primary and secondary amines are distinguished by

The test used to distinguish between primary,secondary,and tertiary amines is:

Ammonia reacts with which of the following reagents to give a brown precipitate?

Which one of the following nitro-compounds does not react with nitrous acid?

The amine that reacts with Hinsberg's reagent to give an alkali-insoluble product is:

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo