JEE MainChemistryGeneral Organic Chemistry
Given below are two statements regarding Kjeldahl's method for the estimation of nitrogen: Statement I: In the digestion step, K ₂ SO ₄ acts as a catalyst while CuSO ₄ is used to raise the boiling point of concentrated sulfuric acid. Statement II: During the digestion step, the nitrogen present in the organic compound is quantitatively converted into ammonium sulfate. In the light of the above statements, choose the
Options
- ABoth Statement I and Statement II are correct
- BStatement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
- CBoth Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
- DStatement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
Correct answer
B. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
Step-by-step solution
Statement I is incorrect because the roles of the reagents are swapped. In Kjeldahl's method, K ₂ SO ₄ is added to raise the boiling point of concentrated H ₂ SO ₄ , whereas CuSO ₄ acts as a catalyst. Statement II is correct because, during the digestion step, the nitrogen in the organic compound is converted into ammonium sulfate, ( NH ₄)₂ SO ₄ , upon heating with concentrated sulfuric acid. Answer: Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct