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🧪 Chemistry  ·  Amines  ·  NEET & JEE

The nitrous acid test distinguishes primary, secondary, and tertiary amines. Primary aliphatic amines give:

Answer: N 2 gas evolution.

  • A N<sub>2</sub> gas evolution
  • B Yellow oily liquid
  • C No reaction
  • D Orange precipitate

Correct answer: A. N<sub>2</sub> gas evolution

Explanation: Primary aliphatic amines react with HNO<sub>2</sub> to form unstable diazonium salts that immediately release N<sub>2</sub>.

Why Aniline Is a Weaker Base Than MethylamineNCH₃lone pair fully availableMethylamineN donates electrons freely → STRONG baseNlone pair delocalised into ringAniline

In aniline, the nitrogen's lone pair is pulled into the benzene ring through resonance, leaving less electron density available to accept a proton - which is why aniline is a much weaker base than methylamine, where the lone pair is fully available.

Concept context

Nitrogen-containing organic compounds. Covers classification (primary, secondary, tertiary), basicity comparison, preparation methods, and reactions including diazotization and coupling, key for understanding dyes and pharmaceuticals.

Read the full Amines notes →