A study of the diphenylamine test for aliphatic nitrocompounds

Abstract

A stud y has been made of t he diphenylamin e test for aliphatic nitrocompounds. It is not given by all nitroparaffins. However, t he test is at least a thousand t imes more sensitive t han previously supposed. Structural fa ctors are disc ussed . Spectroscopic m easurem ents indicate t hat t h e blue color in t he diphenylamin e test with nitrosating agents is similar to that produced b y oxidizing agents. It is probably caused b y colored phenazine and benzidine derivatives. A possible free radical mechanism for t he reactions involved is presented. ·