Q17 / 75 · JEE Main 2026 (05 April Shift 2) · Chemistry

Given below are two statements :
Statement I: Heating benzamide with bromine in an ethanolic solution of sodium hydroxide will give benzylamine.
Statement II: Nitration of aniline with $HNO_3/H_2SO_4$ at $288\text{ K}$ produces $m$-nitroaniline in higher amount than $o$-nitroaniline (pH adjusted).
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :

  • A
    Both Statement I and Statement II are true
  • B
    Both Statement I and Statement II are false
  • C
    Statement I is true but Statement II is false
  • Correct answer
    D
    Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Solution

Statement I describes the Hoffmann bromamide degradation reaction. When benzamide ($C_6H_5CONH_2$) is heated with bromine in an ethanolic solution of sodium hydroxide, it produces aniline ($C_6H_5NH_2$), not benzylamine. Thus, Statement I is false.

Statement II describes the nitration of aniline. Direct nitration of aniline with $HNO_3/H_2SO_4$ yields a mixture of $p$-nitroaniline ($51\%$), $m$-nitroaniline ($47\%$), and $o$-nitroaniline ($2\%$). The significant formation of the meta derivative is due to the protonation of aniline in the strongly acidic medium to form the anilinium ion, which is meta-directing. Since $47\% > 2\%$, $m$-nitroaniline is produced in a higher amount than $o$-nitroaniline. Thus, Statement II is true.

Answer: Statement I is false but Statement II is true

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.

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