Reaction of propanamide with Br2/KOH (aq) produces: — Solution | JEE Chemistry

MCQEasyJEE 2023Amines (Classification & Properties)

Reaction of propanamide with $Br_2/KOH$ $\text{(aq)}$ produces:

Answer

Correct answer:D

Standard Method

Given: Reaction of propanamide with $Br_2/KOH$ $\text{(aq)}$ .

Find: The product formed.

This reaction is the Hofmann bromamide reaction, where amides are converted to primary amines with one fewer carbon atom.

For propanamide $\left(\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CONH}_2\right)$ :

\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CONH}_2 \xrightarrow{\text{Br}_2/\text{KOH}} \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{NH}_2\; (\text{Ethylamine})

Therefore, the product is ethylamine, so the correct option is D.

Confusing Hofmann bromamide reaction with simple reduction of an amide. That is incorrect because Hofmann degradation removes one carbon atom from the carbon chain. The product should be a primary amine with one fewer carbon, not propylamine.
Choosing a nitrile as the product. That is incorrect because $Br_2/KOH$ with an amide does not form a nitrile here; it causes rearrangement to a primary amine. Use the Hofmann bromamide rule instead.

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