Question

Which amine of the following will not answer carbylamine reaction?

• A. Ethyl amine
• B. Methyl amine
• C. Dimethyl amine
• D. Phenyl amine

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Dimethylamine, a secondary amine does not respond to carbylamine reaction. Carbylamine reaction can be used to identify primary amino group in a given organic compound.
When primary amines are treated with chloroform and alcoholic $KOH$, they give isocyanides (carbylamines) having very unpleasant smell which can be easily detected.
$RNH _{2}+ CHCl _{3}+3 KOH \rightarrow RNC +3 KCl +3 H _{2} O$