Identify the major product formed in the following reaction:

Step-by-step solution

The given reaction involves a primary amide reacting with NaOH and Br ₂ . This is the standard reagent condition for the Hofmann bromamide degradation reaction. In the Hofmann bromamide degradation, a primary amide ( R- CONH ₂ ) is converted into a primary amine ( R- NH ₂ ) with one less carbon atom. The carbonyl group ( - CO - ) is lost as carbonate. The general reaction is: R- CONH ₂ + Br ₂ + 4 NaOH R- NH ₂ + Na ₂ CO ₃ + 2 NaBr + 2 H ₂ O Applying this to the given reactant, 3,4-dimethoxybenzamide, the - CONH ₂ gr