Question

Methylamine on heating with chloroform and alcoholic KOH gives

• A. \( \text{CH}_3\text{OH} \)
• B. \( \text{CH}_3\text{CN} \)
• C. \( \text{CH}_3\text{CHO} \)
• D. \( \text{CH}_3\text{NC} \)

Hint:

In the carbylamine reaction, primary amines react with chloroform and alcoholic KOH to form isocyanides, a distinct characteristic reaction.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the reaction.
Methylamine reacts with chloroform (CHCl₃) in the presence of alcoholic KOH in the formation of isocyanide (also known as isothiocyanate). This is a characteristic reaction of primary amines, also called the isocyanide or carbylamine reaction. Step 2: Analysis of options.
(A) \( \text{CH}_3\text{OH} \): This is incorrect, as alcohol is not produced in this reaction.
(B) \( \text{CH}_3\text{CN} \): This is the nitrile group, but the reaction does not give a nitrile here.
(C) \( \text{CH}_3\text{CHO} \): This is an aldehyde, not a product of this reaction.
(D) \( \text{CH}_3\text{NC} \): This is the correct answer; methylamine with chloroform and alcoholic KOH gives an isocyanide (CH₃NC).
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (D) because methylamine forms an isocyanide (CH₃NC) when heated with chloroform and alcoholic KOH.