Question

How will you distinguish between n-Butylamine and diethylamine?

Answer 1

	n-Butylamine	Diethylamine
1.	It is a primary amine with the formula CH3-(CH2)3-NH2.	It is a secondary amine with the formula (C2H5)2-NH.
2.	Has one alkyl group attached to the nitrogen atom.	Has two ethyl groups attached to the nitrogen atom.
3.	Reacts with nitrous acid to liberate nitrogen gas (formation of diazonium salt unstable in aliphatic amines, leads to nitrogen evolution).	Reacts with nitrous acid to form a nitrosamine (yellow oily liquid), and no nitrogen gas is evolved.
4.	Has stronger basic nature compared to diethylamine due to less steric hindrance around nitrogen.	Slightly less basic because of the electron-donating effect and steric hindrance of two alkyl groups.
5.	On acylation, gives a primary amide.	On acylation, gives a secondary amide.