In the classical Victor Meyer test, an unknown primary alcohol is eventually converted into a nitrolic acid intermediate. How many nitrogen () atoms are covalently bonded within a single molecule of t

Question

In the classical Victor Meyer test, an unknown primary alcohol is eventually converted into a nitrolic acid intermediate. How many nitrogen ($N$) atoms are covalently bonded within a single molecule of the resulting nitrolic acid derivative ($R-C(=NOH)-NO_2$)?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: 2. The Victor Meyer test converts a primary alcohol () to an alkyl iodide, then to a primary nitroalkane (). Reaction with nitrous acid () replaces the alpha-hydrogens to form nitrolic acid, which has the general structure . This molecule clearly contains 2 nitrogen atoms.

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