Question

What is the reaction involved when aniline is converted into phenyl isocyanide?

Answer 1

Aniline

• Anilines are chemical compounds that belong to the group of organic compounds known as aminobenzene or phenylamine in organic chemistry.
• The formula for aniline compounds is ${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_5{\mathrm{NH}}_2$, where the amino group is meant to be connected to the phenyl ring.

The reaction of Aniline to phenyl isocyanide

• Aniline is a primary aromatic amine.
• By heating aniline with chloroform in the presence of $\mathrm{KOH}$, aniline can be transformed into phenyl isocyanide.
• $\mathrm{Ph}-{\mathrm{NH}}_2\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+{\mathrm{CHCl}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+3\mathrm{KOH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\stackrel{}{\to }\mathrm{Ph}-\mathrm{NC}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+3\mathrm{KCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+3{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$
• This reaction is known by the name carbylamine reaction.
• This reaction is given only by primary amines.