JEE Main · 2026 · 08 Apr 2026 · Shift 2 · Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

In the Hofmann bromamide degradation a primary amide reacts with one mole of bromine and four moles of sodium hydroxide to give a primary amine with one carbon fewer, so primary amines can indeed be prepared this way. Only primary amides respond \u2013 the reaction is given by aliphatic (alkyl) amides as well as aryl amides, and a secondary amide does not react and cannot give a secondary amine. Balancing the overall change shows the by-products to be sodium carbonate, sodium bromide and water. Hence the only true statements are that primary amines can be synthesised by the degradation and that its by-products are $\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{a}}_2\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{O}}_3$, $\mathrm{NaBr}$ and ${\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$.