Question

Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct regarding Hinsberg's test?

• A. It is used to distinguish aliphatic and aromatic primary amines
• B. It is used to distinguish primary and secondary amines
• C. It is used to distinguish primary and secondary alcohols
• D. p-toluenesulphonylchloride can also be used for this test.
  

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (D)

p-toluenesulphonylchloride can also be used for this test.


Benzyl sulphonyl chloride is used in Hinsberg's test. Nowadays, p-toluenesulphonyl chloride is used at the place of benzylsulphonyl chloride.

Hinsberg'st test is used to distinguish between primary, secondary and tertiary amines.
It does not distinguish aliphatic and aromatic primary amines.

Sulphonamides formed from primary amine is soluble in alkali.
Sulphonamides formed from secondary amine is insoluble in alkali.
Sulphonamides are not formed by tertiary amines. So it is the best reagent to distinguish all the three types of amines.
Hence, option (b) and (d) are correct.