Applicable for A-Level, IB, DSE, AP-Level Exams
Amines are derivatives of ammonia where one or more hydrogen are replaced by either an alkyl group or an aromatic group. Amines act as weak bases as lone pair on the nitrogen can accept protons by forming a dative covalent bond with H+. Tertiary amines are the strongest base and aromatic amines are the weakest base. Aliphatic amines have stronger base properties due to the inductive effect of the alkly grousp onto the lone pair on the nitrogen, increasing the electron density on the nitrogen atom.
Amines can be formed from the nucleophilic substitution of a halogenalkane with excress ethanolic ammonia. It can also be formed from the reduction of nitriles using Ni with hydrogen at high temperature and pressure.