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Write the chemical equation for the following.
Hofmann’s degradation reaction
Answer
Answer
Official answer keyEquation: $\mathrm{CH_{3}CONH_{2}} + \mathrm{Br_{2}} + 4\mathrm{KOH} \longrightarrow \mathrm{CH_{3}NH_{2}} + \mathrm{K_{2}CO_{3}} + 2\mathrm{KBr} + 2\mathrm{H_{2}O}$
Product: methanamine
An amide is warmed with bromine and aqueous or ethanolic KOH to give a primary amine with one carbon atom less.
From ISC 2026 Specimen Chemistry Paper 1, question 11(i).