Question
What happens when acetamide is reacted with bromine in the presence of potassium hydroxide?
Solution
Acetamide, when treated with bromine and concentrated potassium hydroxide solution methylamine, is formed. This reaction is known as Hofmann bromamide reaction.
CH3CONH2 + Br2+4KOH --> CH3NH2 +2KBr +K2CO3+2H2O