The reaction of a primary amide with bromine in an aqueous or ethanolic solution of sodium hydroxide is known as the Hoffmann bromamide degradation reaction. This is a method for the preparation of primary amines. A characteristic feature of this reaction is that the amine formed contains one carbon atom less than the starting amide (the carbonyl carbon is lost as sodium carbonate).

Chemical Equation: $CH_3CH_2CONH_2 \text{ (Propanamide)} + Br_2 + 4NaOH \xrightarrow{\Delta} CH_3CH_2NH_2 \text{ (Ethylamine)} + Na_2CO_3 + 2NaBr + 2H_2O$

Since the reactant, propanamide, has 3 carbon atoms, the resulting primary amine will have 2 carbon atoms, which is Ethylamine.