Question

Primary, secondary and tertiary amines can be distinguished by

• A. Schiff's test
• B. Fehling's test
• C. Tollen's test
• D. Hinsberg test

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Hinsberg test

Answer 2

Hinsberg's reagent (benzene sulphonyl chloride) is used to distinguish $1^{\circ}, 2^{\circ}$ and $3^{\circ}$ amines. With Hinsberg's reagent, $1^{\circ}$ amines give a sulphonamide, soluble in alkali, $2^{\circ}$ amines form a sulphonamide, insoluble in alkali, while $3^{\circ}$ amines do not react at all.