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🧪 Chemistry  ·  Amines  ·  NEET & JEE

Which reagent is used to distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary amines?

Answer: Hinsberg's reagent (benzenesulfonyl chloride).

  • A Hinsberg's reagent (benzenesulfonyl chloride)
  • B Lucas reagent, used instead to distinguish primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols
  • C Tollens' reagent, used instead to distinguish aldehydes from ketones
  • D Fehling's solution, used instead to detect reducing sugars and aldehydes

Correct answer: A. Hinsberg's reagent (benzenesulfonyl chloride)

Explanation: Hinsberg's reagent (C<sub>6</sub>H<sub>5</sub>SO<sub>2</sub>Cl) reacts differently with primary, secondary, and tertiary amines.

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.

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