4.6 - Amines Flashcards
What is an amine?
Amines are derivatives of ammonia where one or more of the hydrogen atoms has been replaced with an organic group.
Describe the difference between primary, secondary and tertiary amines
Consider a molecule of ammonia, NH3:
1. If one of the hydrogens is replaced with an organic group it is a primary amine.
2. If two of the hydrogens are replaced with an organic group it is a secondary amine.
3. If all three hydrogens are replaced with an organic group it is a tertiary amine.
Give the structure of a quaternary ammonium ion
Give two common methods of producing aliphatic amines
- Nucleophilic substitution of halogenoalkanes with ammonia.
- Reduction of nitriles.
What conditions are required for primary amines to be formed from halogenoalkanes?
The halogenoalkane must be warmed with excess ethanolic ammonia inside a sealed tube.
Draw the mechanism for the reaction between bromoethane and ammonia
When a halogenoalkane reacts with ammonia why do you get a mixture of products?
The reaction will produce a mixture of primary, secondary and tertiary amines and quaternary ammonium salts. This is because when a primary amine is produced it acts as a nucleophile in further reactions. When it reacts in further nucleophilic substitution reactions, secondary amines are produced. These substitution reactions continue taking place until the quaternary ammonium salt is produced.
Why can primary, secondary and tertiary amines act as nucleophiles when quaternary ammonium ions can not?
In primary, secondary and tertiary amines the nitrogen has a lone pair of electrons which allows it to act as a nucleophile. The nitrogen atom in quaternary ammonium ions does not have a lone pair of electrons so cannot act as a nucleophile.
Give the chemical equation for the reaction of bromoethane with excess ammonia to form ethylamine
Give the chemical equation for the reaction of methylamine with bromoethane to form methylethylamine
How can the amine be released from an amine salt?
Treat the amine salt with an alkali, e.g. NaOH.
What is the chemical equation for the reaction of methylammonium chloride with sodium hydroxide?
How can a nitrile be reduced to an amine?
The reducing agent LiAlH4 is used.
LiAlH4 in a non aqueous solvent (e.g. dry ether) should first be added to the nitrile, followed by some dilute acid.
What is the chemical equation for the reduction of ethanenitrile to ethylamine?
What compounds can aromatic amines be reduced from?
Aromatic amines are produced from the reduction of nitro compounds - like nitrobenzene.
What is the reducing agent used for the reduction of nitro compounds to aromatic amines?
Metallic tin and concentrated hydrochloric acid
What is the chemical equation for the reduction of nitrobenzene to phenylamine?