Diethyl oxalate is used for distinguishing primary, secondary and tertiary

Options

A. Alcohols
B. amines
C. alkyl halides
D. hydrogens in hydrocarbons

Answer

B

Explanation

Diethyl oxalate is used for distinguishing `1^@`,`2^@` and `3^@` amines as these amines react differently as dicussed below:
(i) The `1^@` amine forms corresponding substituted oxamide which is a crystalline solid:
(ii) While `2^@` amnine forms a diethyl oxamic ester which is a liquid
(iii) `3^@` amine does not react with diehtyl oxalatye since it does not contain a replacable hydrogen atom.