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Ch.14 Carboxylic Acids, Esters, Amines, and Amides
Timberlake - Chemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry 13th Edition
Timberlake13th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134421353Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 14, Problem 33c

Classify each of the following amines as primary (1°), secondary (2°), or tertiary (3°):
c Chemical structure of an amine with a benzene ring and a nitrogen atom, illustrating its classification.

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1
Examine the structure of the amine provided in the image. Identify the nitrogen atom and count the number of carbon-containing groups (alkyl or aryl groups) directly attached to it.
Recall the classification of amines: a primary (1°) amine has one carbon-containing group attached to the nitrogen, a secondary (2°) amine has two carbon-containing groups, and a tertiary (3°) amine has three carbon-containing groups.
If the nitrogen atom is bonded to only one carbon-containing group and two hydrogen atoms, classify it as a primary (1°) amine.
If the nitrogen atom is bonded to two carbon-containing groups and one hydrogen atom, classify it as a secondary (2°) amine.
If the nitrogen atom is bonded to three carbon-containing groups and no hydrogen atoms, classify it as a tertiary (3°) amine.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Amines

Amines are organic compounds derived from ammonia (NH3) by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms with alkyl or aryl groups. They are classified based on the number of carbon-containing groups attached to the nitrogen atom. Understanding the structure of amines is crucial for determining their classification as primary, secondary, or tertiary.
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Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Amines

Primary amines (1°) have one alkyl group attached to the nitrogen, secondary amines (2°) have two, and tertiary amines (3°) have three. This classification affects the amine's chemical properties and reactivity. Recognizing the number of substituents on the nitrogen atom is essential for accurate classification.
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Structural Representation

Structural representation of molecules, such as Lewis structures or condensed formulas, visually depicts the arrangement of atoms and bonds. For amines, this representation helps identify the connectivity of the nitrogen atom to carbon groups, which is vital for classifying the amine type. Analyzing these structures allows for a clear understanding of the compound's classification.
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