Q145 / 200 · MHT CET - Medical 2026 (21 April Shift 1) · Chemistry
Identify the product when ethyl amine reacts with nitrous acid in cold.
- A$\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{NO}_2$
- B$\text{CH}_3\text{CHO}$
- Correct answerC$\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH}$
- D$\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{NC}$
Solution
Ethyl amine ($\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{NH}_2$) is a primary aliphatic amine.
When a primary aliphatic amine reacts with nitrous acid ($\text{HNO}_2$) in cold conditions, it forms an unstable alkyl diazonium salt.
This diazonium salt readily decomposes to release nitrogen gas and forms a carbocation, which reacts with water present in the mixture to give ethyl alcohol ($\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH}$).
$\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{NH}_2 + \text{HNO}_2 \rightarrow [\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{N}_2^{+}\text{Cl}^{-}] \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH} + \text{N}_2 \uparrow + \text{HCl}$
Answer: $\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH}$
When a primary aliphatic amine reacts with nitrous acid ($\text{HNO}_2$) in cold conditions, it forms an unstable alkyl diazonium salt.
This diazonium salt readily decomposes to release nitrogen gas and forms a carbocation, which reacts with water present in the mixture to give ethyl alcohol ($\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH}$).
$\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{NH}_2 + \text{HNO}_2 \rightarrow [\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{N}_2^{+}\text{Cl}^{-}] \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH} + \text{N}_2 \uparrow + \text{HCl}$
Answer: $\text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{OH}$
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'C'.