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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]].
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| volume=55|doi=10.15227/orgsyn.055.0096| pages = 232| year = 1988}}</ref>
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| volume=55|doi=10.15227/orgsyn.055.0096| pages = 232| year = 1988}}</ref>
: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
: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



Revision as of 09:00, 10 October 2019

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.

Test for primary amines

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

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

References

  1. ^ G. W. Gokel; R. P. Widera; W. P. Weber (1988). "Phase-transfer Hofmann Carbylamine Reaction: tert-Butyl Isocyanide". 55: 232. doi:10.15227/orgsyn.055.0096. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ Carbylamine reaction