Question

The reduction of phenyl isocyanide with H2 and Ni catalyst gives a/an _________

(a) primary amine

(b) secondary amine

(c) tertiary amine

(d) arylalkyl amine

The question was posed to me during an internship interview.

The above asked question is from Preparation of Amines topic in portion Amines of Chemistry – Class 12

Answer 1

Correct answer is (b) secondary amine

Easiest explanation: The reduction of isocyanide compounds (where the CN group is attached through N atom) with H2/Ni gives secondary amines or N-alkyl amines. For example, phenyl isocyanide gives N-methylaniline.