What is the Difference Between Ethylamine and Aniline?

Ethylamine and aniline are both organic compounds that belong to the group of amines, but they have different chemical structures and properties. The key difference between ethylamine and aniline is that ethylamine is an aliphatic compound, while aniline is an aromatic compound. Here are some further distinctions between the two:

• Chemical Formula: Ethylamine has the chemical formula CH3CH2NH2, while aniline has the chemical formula C6H5NH2.
• Solubility: Ethylamine is soluble in water, but aniline is not.
• Friedel Crafts Reaction: Aniline does not undergo the Friedel Crafts reaction.
• Acetylation: Aniline is acetylated before bromination.
• Nitrous Acid and Azo-Dye Test: Ethylamine and aniline can be distinguished using the nitrous acid and azo-dye test. When aromatic amines like aniline react with nitrous acid at low temperature, diazonium salt is formed, which then reacts with 2-naphthol in the presence of a base to form a brightly colored azo dye. However, when aliphatic amines like ethylamine are subjected to similar conditions, effervescence of nitrogen gas is observed instead.

Comparative Table: Ethylamine vs Aniline

The key difference between ethylamine and aniline is that ethylamine is an aliphatic compound, while aniline is an aromatic compound. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between ethylamine and aniline:

Ethylamine and aniline can be distinguished using the azo-dye test. A dye is obtained when aromatic amines react with HNO2 (NaNO2 + dil. HCl) at 0-5°C, followed by a reaction with the alkaline solution of 2-naphthol. The dye is usually yellow, red, or orange in color. Aliphatic amines, like ethylamine, give a brisk effervescence due to the evolution of N2 gas under similar conditions.