Which of the following statements about primary amines is false?
- Alkyl amines are stronger bases than aryl amines.
- Alkyl amines react with nitrous acid to produce alcohols.
- Aryl amines react with nitrous acid to produce phenols.
- Alkyl amines are stronger bases than ammonia.
Answer
(3) Aryl amines react with nitrous acid to produce phenols.
Solution
(1) True: in aryl amines the lone pair on N is delocalised into the ring.
(2) True: RNH2 + HNO2 [RN2+Cl-] H2O ROH + N2 + HCl
(3) False: as per NCERT, aromatic amines react with nitrous acid at 273–278 K to form arenediazonium salts, not phenols.
(4) True: alkyl groups release electrons (+I effect), increasing the electron density on N.
Answer: (3)