MHT CET Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution

Step-by-step solution

Gabriel phthalimide synthesis is used for the preparation of primary aliphatic amines. In this reaction, potassium phthalimide is treated with an alkyl halide to form an N-alkyl phthalimide, which upon hydrolysis yields a primary amine. Aryl halides do not undergo nucleophilic substitution with the phthalimide anion because the carbon-halogen bond in aryl halides has partial double bond character due to resonance, making it difficult to break. Hence, primary aromatic amines such as aniline cannot be prepared by this method. Benzyl amine, methyl amine, and isobutyl amine are primary aliphatic amines and can be successfully prepared by this method. Answer: Aniline