The reaction of aniline with chloroform under alkaline conditions lead to the formation of:A) Phenyl cyanide B) Phenyl isonitrileC) Phenyl cyanateD) Phenyl isocyanate

The reaction of aniline with chloroform under alkaline conditions is called the Carbylamine reaction or isocyanide test. In this reaction, aniline (which is a primary amine) reacts with chloroform (CHCl₃) in the presence of a strong base, typically potassium hydroxide (KOH), to form phenyl isocyanide (also known as phenyl isonitrile).

The reaction mechanism involves the following steps:

The base (KOH) deprotonates chloroform to form trichloromethide anion (CCl₃⁻).
The trichloromethide anion loses a chloride ion (Cl⁻) to form dichlorocarbene (
₂).
Dichlorocarbene reacts with the aniline to give phenyl isocyanide (phenyl isonitrile).
The balanced chemical equation for the reaction is:

C₆H₅NH₂ + CHCl₃ + 3KOH → C₆H₅NC + 3KCl + 3H₂O

Correct answer: B) Phenyl isonitrile