Primary and secondary amines
Cambridge A-Level Chemistry (9701) · Unit 34: Organic nitrogen compounds · 8 flashcards
Primary and secondary amines is topic 34.1 in the Cambridge A-Level Chemistry (9701) syllabus , positioned in Unit 34 — Organic nitrogen compounds , alongside Phenylamine and azo compounds, Amides and Amino acids. In one line: Lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH₄) is a strong reducing agent used to reduce amides to amines. The reaction typically occurs in a dry ether solvent, followed by acidic workup.
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 8 flashcards — 2 definitions and 6 key concepts — 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 reducing agent is commonly used to convert amides into amines
Lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH₄) is a strong reducing agent used to reduce amides to amines. The reaction typically occurs in a dry ether solvent, followed by acidic workup.
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 (reagents and conditions) by which primary and secondary amines are produced: (a) reaction of halogenoalkanes with NH₃ in ethanol heated under pressure (b) reaction of halogenoalkanes with primary amines in ethanol, heated in a sealed tube / under pressure (c) the reduction of amides with LiAl H₄ (d) the reduction of nitriles with LiAl H₄ or H₂ / Ni
- describe the condensation reaction of ammonia or an amine with an acyl chloride at room temperature to give an amide
- describe and explain the basicity of aqueous solutions of amines
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 and secondary amines
- › Remember that alkyl groups are electron-donating; this concentrates negative charge on the oxygen, making the ethoxide ion a stronger base.
- › 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.
Outline the reagents and conditions required to produce a primary amine from a halogenoalkane.
React a halogenoalkane with excess ammonia (NH₃) in ethanol, heated under pressure. The excess ammonia minimizes further alkylation to secondary and tertiary amines.
What reagents and conditions are needed to convert a halogenoalkane into a secondary amine?
React a halogenoalkane with a primary amine in ethanol, heated in a sealed tube or under pressure. This produces a secondary amine via nucleophilic substitution.
What reducing agent is commonly used to convert amides into amines?
Lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH₄) is a strong reducing agent used to reduce amides to amines. The reaction typically occurs in a dry ether solvent, followed by acidic workup.
Name two sets of reagents that can reduce a nitrile to a primary amine.
Nitriles can be reduced to primary amines using either lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH₄) in a dry ether solvent followed by hydrolysis, or hydrogen gas (H₂) with a nickel (Ni) catalyst under high pressure and temperature.
Describe the reaction between an acyl chloride and ammonia.
Acyl chlorides react with ammonia in a condensation reaction at room temperature to form a primary amide and hydrogen chloride gas.
Describe the reaction between an acyl chloride and a primary amine.
Acyl chlorides react with primary amines in a condensation reaction at room temperature to produce a secondary amide and HCl gas.
Explain why amines are basic, using chemical equations to support your answer.
Amines are basic because the nitrogen atom has a lone pair of electrons which can accept a proton (H⁺) from water. RNH₂ + H₂O ⇌ RNH₃⁺ + OH⁻. The hydroxide ions (OH⁻) produced increase the pH, making the solution alkaline.
How does the basicity of alkylamines compare to that of ammonia?
Alkylamines are generally stronger bases than ammonia. This is because the alkyl groups are electron-donating, increasing the electron density on the nitrogen atom and making it more able to accept a proton.
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Primary and secondary 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 and secondary amines deck
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