Question:easy

A compound on reaction with chloroform in a strong alkaline medium produces isocyanoethane (ethyl isocyanide). Identify the compound.

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The carbylamine test converts a primary amine, R-NH2, into an isocyanide, R-NC, using chloroform and alcoholic KOH.
Updated On: Jul 3, 2026
  • Amino methane
  • Amino ethane
  • Nitromethane
  • Nitroethane
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Alternative approach: work backward from the product formula $C_2H_5NC$. In the carbylamine reaction, the carbon of the isocyanide's $-NC$ group comes from chloroform. Removing this $-NC$ unit leaves the alkyl fragment $C_2H_5-$, attached to nitrogen as $C_2H_5-NH_2$. Amino ethane matches exactly. Nitromethane and nitroethane are excluded because the carbylamine test only works on primary amines with a free $-NH_2$ group.
\[\boxed{\text{Aminoethane (ethylamine)}}\]
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