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{{Short description|Method of synthesizing an isocyanide}}
The '''Carbylamine reaction''' is a [[chemical test]] for detection of primary [[amine]]s. In this reaction, the analyte is heated with alcoholic [[potassium hydroxide]] and chloroform. If a primary amine is present, the isocyanide is formed. Isocyanides are foul smelling compounds and confirms the test with primary amines.
The '''carbylamine reaction''' (also known as the '''Hoffmann isocyanide synthesis''') is the synthesis of an isocyanide by the reaction of a [[primary amine]], [[chloroform]], and base. The conversion involves the intermediacy of [[dichlorocarbene]].


Illustrative is the synthesis of [[tert-Butyl isocyanide|''tert''-butyl isocyanide]] from [[Tert-Butylamine|''tert''-butylamine]] in the presence of [[catalytic]] amount of the [[phase transfer catalyst]] [[benzyltriethylammonium chloride]].<ref>{{cite journal|author1=G. W. Gokel|author2=R. P. Widera|author3=W. P. Weber| title = Phase-transfer Hofmann Carbylamine Reaction: tert-Butyl Isocyanide|journal=Organic Syntheses| volume=55|doi=10.15227/orgsyn.055.0096| pages = 232| year = 1988}}</ref>
For example, the reaction with ethylamine:
:Me<sub>3</sub>CNH<sub>2</sub> + CHCl<sub>3</sub> + 3 NaOH → Me<sub>3</sub>CNC + 3 NaCl + 3 H<sub>2</sub>O


Similar reactions have been reported for aniline. It is used to prepare secondary amines.
[[Image:Carbylamine.png|500px|The carbylamine reaction with ethyl amine]]


==Test for primary amines==
The reaction with aniline:
As it is only effective for primary amines, the carbylamine reaction can be used as a [[chemical test]] for their presence. In this context, the reaction is also known as '''Saytzeff's isocyanide test'''.<ref>[http://www.books-about-california.com/Pages/Experimental_Organic_Chemistry/Ex_Organic_Chem_Chap_09.html Carbylamine reaction]</ref> In this reaction, the analyte is heated with alcoholic [[potassium hydroxide]] and chloroform. If a primary amine is present, the [[isocyanide]] (carbylamine) is formed, as indicated by a foul odour. The carbylamine test does not give a positive reaction with secondary and tertiary amines.


==Mechanism==
[[File:Aniline carbylamine reaction.png|500px|The carbylamine reaction with aniline]]
The mechanism involves the addition of amine to dichlorocarbene, a reactive intermediate generated by the [[dehydrohalogenation]] of chloroform. Two successive base-mediated dehydrochlorination steps result in formation of the isocyanide.


[[File:Carbylamine mechanism.png|center|frameless|400x400px]]
The carbylamine test does not give a positive reaction with secondary and tertiary amines.


==References==
== See also ==
[http://www.books-about-california.com/Pages/Experimental_Organic_Chemistry/Ex_Organic_Chem_Chap_09.html Carbylamine reaction]


* [[Isodiazomethane]]
* [[Carbene]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Organic reactions}}
[[Category:Organic reactions]]
[[Category:Organic reactions]]
[[Category:Chemical tests]]
[[Category:Chemical tests]]

[[es:Reacción carbilamina]]
[[ta:கார்பிலமைன் விளைவு]]

Latest revision as of 20:57, 28 February 2024

The carbylamine reaction (also known as the Hoffmann isocyanide synthesis) is the synthesis of an isocyanide by the reaction of a primary amine, chloroform, and base. The conversion involves the intermediacy of dichlorocarbene.

Illustrative is the synthesis of tert-butyl isocyanide from tert-butylamine in the presence of catalytic amount of the phase transfer catalyst benzyltriethylammonium chloride.[1]

Me3CNH2 + CHCl3 + 3 NaOH → Me3CNC + 3 NaCl + 3 H2O

Similar reactions have been reported for aniline. It is used to prepare secondary amines.

Test for primary amines

[edit]

As it is only effective for primary amines, the carbylamine reaction can be used as a chemical test for their presence. In this context, the reaction is also known as Saytzeff's isocyanide test.[2] In this reaction, the analyte is heated with alcoholic potassium hydroxide and chloroform. If a primary amine is present, the isocyanide (carbylamine) is formed, as indicated by a foul odour. The carbylamine test does not give a positive reaction with secondary and tertiary amines.

Mechanism

[edit]

The mechanism involves the addition of amine to dichlorocarbene, a reactive intermediate generated by the dehydrohalogenation of chloroform. Two successive base-mediated dehydrochlorination steps result in formation of the isocyanide.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ G. W. Gokel; R. P. Widera; W. P. Weber (1988). "Phase-transfer Hofmann Carbylamine Reaction: tert-Butyl Isocyanide". Organic Syntheses. 55: 232. doi:10.15227/orgsyn.055.0096.
  2. ^ Carbylamine reaction