MHT CET Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution

Step-by-step solution

Hofmann bromamide degradation reaction is used for the conversion of primary amides to primary amines with one carbon atom less than the original amide. The general reaction is: R-CO-NH_2 + Br_2 + 4KOH R-NH_2 + K_2CO_3 + 2KBr + 2H_2O In this reaction, the carbonyl group (-CO-) is lost as potassium carbonate (K_2CO_3), and the alkyl or aryl group migrates from the carbonyl carbon to the nitrogen atom. The -CO- group is not reduced to a -CH_2- group. The reduction of an amide to an amine where the -CO- group becomes a -CH_2- group is achieved using strong reducing agents like LiAlH_4. Since the product amine has one carbon less than the reactant amide, its molar mass is always less than that of the amide. Thus, the statement that the -CO- group is reduced to a -CH_2- group is false. Answer: In this -CO-group is reduced to - CH _2- group.