NEETChemistryAmines
Why do secondary and tertiary amines not react with nitrous acid in the same way as primary amines?
Options
- AThey lack a nitrogen atom
- BThey lack a lone pair of electrons on nitrogen
- CThey are less stable
- DThey have a higher boiling point
Correct answer
B. They lack a lone pair of electrons on nitrogen
Step-by-step solution
Secondary and tertiary amines lack a lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom, which is necessary for the reaction with nitrous acid.