In Hofmann's specialized method for the chemical separation of an amine mixture using diethyl oxalat — Amines Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Diethyl oxalate reacts with primary amines to yield a solid dialkyl oxamide (substituting both ester groups). It reacts with secondary amines, which are bulkier and have only one exchangeable hydrogen, to yield a liquid dialkyl oxamic ester (substituting only one ester group). Tertiary amines lack an $N-H$ bond and do not react at all.