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Hinsberg Test

Mediumchemistry

Hinsberg reagent (benzenesulfonyl chloride) is used to distinguish:

Select the correct option:

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About This Question

Subject
chemistry
Chapter
organic compounds containing nitrogen
Topic
hinsberg test
Difficulty
Medium
Year
2025
Tags
Hinsberg TestAminesBenzenesulfonyl Chloride

Solution

Correct Answer:

Primary, secondary, and tertiary amines

The Hinsberg Test uses Benzenesulfonyl chloride () to differentiate between classes of amines:

  1. Primary () Amines: React to form a sulfonamide which contains an acidic hydrogen on nitrogen. Thus, it is soluble in alkali ().
  2. Secondary () Amines: React to form a sulfonamide with NO acidic hydrogen. Thus, it is insoluble in alkali.
  3. Tertiary () Amines: Do not react with the reagent as they lack an atom on Nitrogen. They remain soluble in the acidic reagent but insoluble once the solution is made basic.

This medium difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter organic compounds containing nitrogen, covering the topic of hinsberg test. It appeared in the 2025 exam.

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