Primary amines
Cambridge A-Level Chemistry (9701) · Unit 19: Nitrogen compounds · 6 flashcards
Primary amines is topic 19.1 in the Cambridge A-Level Chemistry (9701) syllabus , positioned in Unit 19 — Nitrogen compounds , alongside Nitriles and hydroxynitriles. In one line: This is a nucleophilic substitution reaction. The lone pair on the nitrogen of ammonia acts as a nucleophile, attacking the partially positive carbon bonded to the halogen.
Marked as A2 Level: examined at A Level in Paper 4 (A Level Structured Questions) and Paper 5 (Planning, Analysis and Evaluation). It is not tested on the AS-only papers (Papers 1, 2 and 3).
The deck below contains 6 flashcards — 2 definitions, 3 key concepts and 1 calculation — covering the precise wording mark schemes reward. Use the 2 definition cards to lock down command-word answers (define, state), then move on to the concept and calculation cards to handle explain, describe, calculate and compare questions.
What type of reaction is the formation of an amine from a halogenoalkane and ammonia
This is a nucleophilic substitution reaction. The lone pair on the nitrogen of ammonia acts as a nucleophile, attacking the partially positive carbon bonded to the halogen.
What the Cambridge 9701 syllabus says
Official 2025-2027 spec · A2 LevelThese are the exact learning outcomes Cambridge sets for this topic. The candidate is expected to be able to do each of these on the relevant paper.
- recall the reactions by which amines can be produced:
Cambridge syllabus keywords to use in your answers
These are the official Cambridge 9701 terms tagged to this section. Mark schemes credit responses that use the exact term — weave them into your answers verbatim rather than paraphrasing.
Tips to avoid common mistakes in Primary amines
- › Classify reaction products accurately; condensation with 2,4-DNPH produces an organic orange precipitate, whereas dichromate reduction produces inorganic green Cr3+ ions.
- › Include H2O and H+ on the left-hand side and NH4+ on the right when writing balanced equations for acid hydrolysis of amides.
- › Identify all gaseous products, including water vapour, to determine the true mass of the remaining solid residue.
- › Remember that while amine groups can be protonated to -NH3+, amide groups (-CONH2) remain neutral and do not accept protons easily.
- › Remember that alkyl groups are electron-donating; this concentrates negative charge on the oxygen, making the ethoxide ion a stronger base.
Outline the reduction of a nitrile to form a primary amine.
Nitriles can be reduced to primary amines using reducing agents like LiAlH₄ in dry ether, followed by dilute acid hydrolysis, or by catalytic hydrogenation using a nickel catalyst and H₂ at high temperature and pressure.
Describe the reaction of a halogenoalkane with excess ammonia to produce a primary amine.
A halogenoalkane reacts with excess ethanolic ammonia via nucleophilic substitution. The ammonia acts as a nucleophile, replacing the halogen. Excess ammonia is used to minimize further substitution of the primary amine formed.
What type of reaction is the formation of an amine from a halogenoalkane and ammonia?
This is a nucleophilic substitution reaction. The lone pair on the nitrogen of ammonia acts as a nucleophile, attacking the partially positive carbon bonded to the halogen.
Why is excess ammonia used in the reaction of halogenoalkanes with ammonia to produce primary amines?
Excess ammonia is used to minimize further substitution of the primary amine product. The primary amine itself is also nucleophilic and can react with the halogenoalkane, leading to secondary and tertiary amines and quaternary ammonium salts.
What are the reagents and conditions for reducing a nitrile to a primary amine?
Reagents: Lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH₄) in dry ether, followed by dilute acid hydrolysis; OR catalytic hydrogenation (H₂) with a nickel catalyst at high temperature and pressure.
Write a balanced chemical equation for the reduction of ethanenitrile to ethylamine using LiAlH₄.
CH₃CN + 4[H] → CH₃CH₂NH₂. The reducing agent, LiAlH₄, provides the hydrogen atoms [H] needed for the reduction.
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Primary amines sits alongside these A-Level Chemistry decks in the same syllabus unit. Each uses the same spaced-repetition system, so progress in one informs the next.
Key terms covered in this Primary amines deck
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