Question

Which one of the following can produce the foul smelling compound methyl isocyanide in presence of alcoholic KOH?

Options

• Chloroform and aniline

• Chloroform and methanol

• Chloroform and dimethyl amine

• Chloroform and methyl amine

Answer 1

Chloroform and methyl amine

Explanation:

The Carbylamine reaction, or Isocyanide test, transpires when a primary amine (R-NH₂) interacts with chloroform (CHCl₃) and alcoholic KOH, yielding a malodorous isocyanide (R-NC). Methylamine (CH₃NH₂), a primary amine, interacts with chloroform (CHCl₃) and alcoholic KOH to produce methyl isocyanide (CH₃NC), which possesses an unpleasant odor.

\[\ce{\underset{1^\circ Amine}{CH3NH2} + CHCl3 + 3KOH ->[\Delta] \underset{(foul smell)}{\underset{Methylisocyanide}{CH3NC}} + 3KCl + 3H2O}\]