what is Hoffmann's mustard oil reaction? 

When a primary amine is taken in carbon disulphide medium and heated, and mercuric chloride is added to it, the reaction produces isothiocyanate which smells like mustard oil. Example of the reactions is as follows.

 

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 When prim.amine is treated with CS2 (carbon disulphide)in presence of mercuric chloride(HgCl2)then it gives alky isothiocyanide which has smell like mustard oil.the reaction is known as hoffmann's mustard oil reaction.

R-NH2 +CS2 +HgCl2 ------>R-NCS +HgS +2HCl. 

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