Carbylamine reaction

The carbylamine reaction, also known as Hoffman's isocyanide test is a chemical test for detection of primary amines. In this reaction, the analyte is heated with alcoholic potassium hydroxide and chloroform. If a primary amine is present, the isocyanide (carbylamine) is formed which are foul smelling substances.

For example, the reaction with ethylamine:

The reaction with aniline:

The carbylamine test does not give a positive reaction with secondary and tertiary amines.