Question

Which of the following nitroalkane does not react with nitrous acid?

• A. 2-Methyl-2-nitropropane
• B. 2-Nitropropane
• C. Nitroethane
• D. 1-Nitropropane

Hint:

Reaction with nitrous acid is a test to distinguish primary, secondary, and tertiary nitroalkanes.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding reaction with nitrous acid.
Primary and secondary nitroalkanes react with nitrous acid due to presence of an \(\alpha\)-hydrogen atom.

Step 2: Analyzing tertiary nitroalkanes.
Tertiary nitroalkanes do not have any \(\alpha\)-hydrogen atoms and therefore do not react with nitrous acid.

Step 3: Identifying the compound.
2-Methyl-2-nitropropane is a tertiary nitroalkane and lacks \(\alpha\)-hydrogen atoms.

Step 4: Conclusion.
Hence, 2-methyl-2-nitropropane does not react with nitrous acid.