Question

Hofmann's method to separate amines in a mixture uses the reagent:

• A. $benzenesulphonyl$ $chloride$
• B. $diethyloxalate$
• C. $benzeneiscocyanide$
• D. $p$$-toulenesulphonic$ $acid$

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

$diethyloxalate$

Hofmann's method to separate amines in a mixture uses the reagent diethyl oxalate.
The mixture of the three amines is heated with diethyl oxalate.
Primary amine forms solid oxamide, the secondary amine forms a liquid oxamic ester and the tertiary amine does not react at all.