introduction to amines

Amines

are nitrogen-containing organic compounds which can be classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary based on the number of alkyl (R-) groups attached to the nitrogen atom

RNH2 .

are basic

RNH2 .

and have a characteristic fishy odor

RNH2 and can exist as

liquids (low carbon) or solids (higher carbon) depending on the number of carbons

The presence of H atoms results into hydrogen bonding which cause

higher boiling for primary amines (BP primary > secondary > tertiary).

BP (decreasing)

• primary

• secondary

• tertiary

Amines are soluble in water due to

its ability to undergo H-bonding.

Amines are soluble in water due to its ability to undergo H-bonding.

However, as the size of the alkyl group increases, water solubility decreases

Aromatic amines (ex. Aniline)

readily undergoes atmospheric oxidation can gets colored as a result

• Hinsberg Test

uses benzene sulfonyl chloride to differentiate between primary, secondary, and tertiary amines

• Hinsberg Test

differentiate between primary, secondary, and tertiary amines

Primary amines

forms alkali soluble sulfonamide product.

• Secondary amines

forms alkali insoluble sulfonamide product.

• Tertiary amines

do not react