Hofmann rearrangement

The Hofmann rearrangement is a chemical process that transforms a primary amide (a compound with nitrogen attached to a carbonyl group) into a primary amine, releasing a molecule of carbon dioxide. This is achieved by treating the amide with bromine and a base, which causes the nitrogen atom to shift to a new position, converting it into an amine. This reaction is useful for selectively modifying molecules in organic synthesis, especially when converting amides to amines with a shorter carbon chain.