Which of the following statements about primary amines is false ? .

Options

A. Alkyl amines are stronger bases than aryl amines
B. Alkyl amines react with nitrous acid to produce alcohols
C. Aryl amines react with nitrous acid to produce phenols
D. Alkyl amines are stronger bases than ammonia

Explanation

To determine which statement about primary amines is false, let's analyze each statement provided in the question systematically.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Statement 1: Alkyl amines are stronger bases than aryl amines.**
- **Analysis:** Alkyl amines (like methyl amine, CH3NH2) have an electron-donating alkyl group that increases the electron density on the nitrogen atom, making them more basic. In contrast, aryl amines (like aniline, C6H5NH2) have a phenyl group that withdraws electron density through resonance, decreasing the basicity.
- **Conclusion:** This statement is **true**.

2. **Statement 2: Alkyl amines react with nitrous acid to produce alcohol.**
- **Analysis:** When a primary alkyl amine reacts with nitrous acid (HNO2), it forms a diazonium salt, which upon hydrolysis produces an alcohol. For example, CH3NH2 + HNO2 → CH3OH (alcohol) after hydrolysis.
- **Conclusion:** This statement is **true**.

3. **Statement 3: Aryl amines react with nitrous acid to produce phenols.**
- **Analysis:** Aryl amines react with nitrous acid to form diazonium salts (e.g., C6H5NH2 + HNO2 → C6H5N2Cl). This reaction does not lead directly to phenols. Instead, phenols can be produced from diazonium salts under specific conditions (e.g., hydrolysis), but the statement implies a direct conversion which is incorrect.
- **Conclusion:** This statement is **false**.

4. **Statement 4: Alkyl amines are stronger bases than ammonia.**
- **Analysis:** Alkyl amines, due to the presence of alkyl groups, have increased electron density on the nitrogen compared to ammonia (NH3), making them more basic. For example, CH3NH2 is more basic than NH3.
- **Conclusion:** This statement is **true**.

### Final Answer:
The false statement about primary amines is **Statement 3**: "Aryl amines react with nitrous acid to produce phenols."

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