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Chemistry
30 Nov 2025
127
4 pages
Amines are nitrogen-containing compounds that act as bases and play crucial roles in organic chemistry. Understanding how to... Show more
Amines are bases because they have a lone pair of electrons on nitrogen that can accept protons, forming dative covalent bonds. Think of them as ammonia's organic cousins - they behave similarly but with carbon chains attached.
When it comes to solubility, it's all about the hydrogen bonding. The NH₂ group loves water and makes compounds soluble, but larger R groups (carbon chains) are non-polar and reduce solubility. So small amines dissolve well, whilst larger ones don't.
Neutralisation reactions are straightforward - amines react with acids to form salts. For example, ammonia plus hydrochloric acid gives ammonium chloride. These reactions follow predictable patterns, whether you're dealing with primary, secondary, or aromatic amines.
Quick Tip Remember that in neutralisation, water often appears as a hidden product - don't forget it in your balanced equations!
You can create primary aliphatic amines by treating haloalkanes with ammonia - it's a classic nucleophilic substitution reaction. The nitrogen's lone pair attacks the partially positive carbon, kicking out the halogen.
The essential conditions are crucial for success. Use ethanol as solvent (never water), and always use excess ammonia. This prevents your newly-formed amine from reacting with leftover haloalkane, which would create unwanted secondary and tertiary amines.
The reaction happens in two steps. First, nucleophilic substitution creates a charged intermediate. Then you add aqueous alkali (like sodium hydroxide) to release the neutral amine from this salt.
Watch out for further substitution - your primary amine product can react again with haloalkanes to form secondary and tertiary amines. That's why excess ammonia is so important!
Exam Alert Questions often test whether you know why ethanol is used instead of water - it prevents competing reactions!
Aromatic amines can't be made the same way as aliphatic ones because ammonia won't do nucleophilic substitution with chlorobenzene. Instead, you need to reduce a nitro group - it's like going backwards from the nitration reaction you learned earlier.
The reduction uses tin and concentrated hydrochloric acid under reflux, followed by excess sodium hydroxide. The equation shows 6 hydrogen atoms reducing NO₂ to NH₂, producing water as a by-product.
Hydrolysis of amides breaks them down into carboxylic acids and ammonia. You can use either dilute acid or alkali under reflux conditions. With acid, you get the carboxylic acid plus ammonium chloride. With alkali, you get the sodium salt of the acid plus ammonia.
These reactions are useful for both making compounds and breaking them down for analysis.
Remember Aromatic chemistry often requires different methods - the benzene ring changes everything!
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Explore the IUPAC nomenclature of amines, including primary, secondary, and tertiary classifications. This summary covers key concepts such as naming conventions, structural representations, and examples of aliphatic and aromatic amines. Ideal for students studying organic chemistry and preparing for exams.
Chemistryocr a level chemistry checklist made from the official specification
ChemistryApp Store
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Amines are nitrogen-containing compounds that act as bases and play crucial roles in organic chemistry. Understanding how to prepare them and their reactions is essential for A-level success, especially since they appear frequently in exam questions.
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Amines are bases because they have a lone pair of electrons on nitrogen that can accept protons, forming dative covalent bonds. Think of them as ammonia's organic cousins - they behave similarly but with carbon chains attached.
When it comes to solubility, it's all about the hydrogen bonding. The NH₂ group loves water and makes compounds soluble, but larger R groups (carbon chains) are non-polar and reduce solubility. So small amines dissolve well, whilst larger ones don't.
Neutralisation reactions are straightforward - amines react with acids to form salts. For example, ammonia plus hydrochloric acid gives ammonium chloride. These reactions follow predictable patterns, whether you're dealing with primary, secondary, or aromatic amines.
Quick Tip: Remember that in neutralisation, water often appears as a hidden product - don't forget it in your balanced equations!
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You can create primary aliphatic amines by treating haloalkanes with ammonia - it's a classic nucleophilic substitution reaction. The nitrogen's lone pair attacks the partially positive carbon, kicking out the halogen.
The essential conditions are crucial for success. Use ethanol as solvent (never water), and always use excess ammonia. This prevents your newly-formed amine from reacting with leftover haloalkane, which would create unwanted secondary and tertiary amines.
The reaction happens in two steps. First, nucleophilic substitution creates a charged intermediate. Then you add aqueous alkali (like sodium hydroxide) to release the neutral amine from this salt.
Watch out for further substitution - your primary amine product can react again with haloalkanes to form secondary and tertiary amines. That's why excess ammonia is so important!
Exam Alert: Questions often test whether you know why ethanol is used instead of water - it prevents competing reactions!
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Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Aromatic amines can't be made the same way as aliphatic ones because ammonia won't do nucleophilic substitution with chlorobenzene. Instead, you need to reduce a nitro group - it's like going backwards from the nitration reaction you learned earlier.
The reduction uses tin and concentrated hydrochloric acid under reflux, followed by excess sodium hydroxide. The equation shows 6 hydrogen atoms reducing NO₂ to NH₂, producing water as a by-product.
Hydrolysis of amides breaks them down into carboxylic acids and ammonia. You can use either dilute acid or alkali under reflux conditions. With acid, you get the carboxylic acid plus ammonium chloride. With alkali, you get the sodium salt of the acid plus ammonia.
These reactions are useful for both making compounds and breaking them down for analysis.
Remember: Aromatic chemistry often requires different methods - the benzene ring changes everything!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
5
Smart Tools NEW
Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines
Explore the IUPAC nomenclature of amines, including primary, secondary, and tertiary classifications. This summary covers key concepts such as naming conventions, structural representations, and examples of aliphatic and aromatic amines. Ideal for students studying organic chemistry and preparing for exams.
Chemistryocr a level chemistry checklist made from the official specification
ChemistryApp Store
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Sociology