Question

Name of method use to separate primary, secondary and tertiary amines is

• A. Hofmann method
• B. Lucas method
• C. Victor Meyer method
• D. Kolbe method

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

(a) In Hofmann method, a mixture of primary, secondary and tertiary amines is treated with diethyloxalate, when primary amine forms solid oxamide, secondary amine forms a liquid oxamic ester whereas tertiary amine remains unaffected.



(b) With Lucas reagent, $3^{\circ }$ alcohols immediately produce turbidity, $2^{\circ }$ alcohols give turbidity within $5$ minutes while $1^{\circ }$ alcohols give no turbidity at room temperature.

(c) In Victor Meyer test, $1^{\circ }$ alcohols give blood red colour, $2^{\circ }$ alcohols give blue colour while $3^{\circ }$ alcohols give no colour.

(d) Kolbe method is used to introduce a $-COOH$ group in phenol. Hence, Hofmann method is used to separate a mixture of $1^{\circ },2^{\circ }$ and $3^{\circ }$ amines.