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AQA A Level Chemistry

3.3.11
Amines

Section 3.3.11 covers the preparation of amines (3.3.11.1): primary aliphatic amines from ammonia and halogenoalkanes or by reducing nitriles, and aromatic amines by reducing nitro compounds for dyes; amines as bases (3.3.11.2): the base strength of ammonia, primary aliphatic and aromatic amines explained by the availability of the nitrogen lone pair; and amines as nucleophiles (3.3.11.3): nucleophilic substitution with halogenoalkanes through to quaternary ammonium salts and cationic surfactants, and nucleophilic addition-elimination with acyl chlorides and acid anhydrides, with both mechanisms.

Exam Paper
Paper 2
7405/2 (and Paper 3)
Specification Points
3.3.11
3 sub-sections covered
Sub-topics
4 lessons
Revision notes available
Exam Board
AQA
7405 (2015 onwards)

Revision Notes

4 revision notes, in the order the specification teaches them.

An amine molecule with its lone pair
1

Amines, Amides and Amino Acids: Structure and Naming

The structure and naming of amines, amides and amino acids: classification, nomenclature, formulae and physical properties.

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A nitro group becoming an amine with tin and acid
2

Preparing Amines

Preparing amines: halogenoalkanes with ammonia, reduction of nitriles, and the reduction of nitrobenzene to phenylamine with tin and concentrated hydrochloric acid.

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An amine lone pair taking a proton
3

Amines as Bases

Amines as bases: the nitrogen lone pair, alkaline solutions, salt formation with acids and the order of base strength of ammonia, aliphatic and aromatic amines.

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Amine lone pair attacking a carbon chain
4

Amines as Nucleophiles

Amines as nucleophiles: substitution with halogenoalkanes and the formation of N-substituted amides with acyl chlorides, including quaternary ammonium salts as cationic surfactants.

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Summary Map

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Summary maps

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Illustration of a summary map: compounds joined by reaction arrows
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Amines Map

AQA A Level Chemistry · 3.3.11 Amines

Every reaction on one A4 page: reagents, conditions and reaction type for each arrow, colour coded, with the key tests.

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Illustration of a summary map: compounds joined by reaction arrows
Summary map · PDF

Amines Map

AQA A-level Chemistry · 3.3.11 Amines

All of 3.3.11 on one A4 page: preparing amines, bases, nucleophilic substitution, addition-elimination, anhydrides and cationic surfactants.

Download the map6 key ideas + worked examples · A4 portrait · print ready

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Revision Game

Match reagents to products, free, with your board's reagents and conditions.

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Revision Game: Amines

Turn the cards over two at a time: match reagents to what they make, and find how each product is made.

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Specification

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3.3.11.1

  1. i a

    know that primary aliphatic amines can be prepared by the reaction of ammonia with halogenoalkanes

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  2. i b

    know that primary aliphatic amines can be prepared by the reduction of nitriles

    Revise
  3. ii

    know that aromatic amines are prepared by the reduction of nitro compounds and are used in the manufacture of dyes

    Revise

3.3.11.2

  1. i

    know that amines are weak bases

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  2. ii a

    know the base strength of ammonia

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  3. ii b

    know the base strength of primary aliphatic amines

    Revise
  4. ii c

    know the base strength of primary aromatic amines

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  5. ii d

    know the difference in base strength between ammonia, primary aliphatic and primary aromatic amines

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  6. iii

    explain the difference in base strength in terms of the availability of the lone pair of electrons on the N atom

    Revise

3.3.11.3

  1. i

    know that amines are nucleophiles

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  2. ii a

    know the nucleophilic substitution reaction of ammonia with halogenoalkanes to form primary amines

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  3. ii b

    know the nucleophilic substitution reaction of amines with halogenoalkanes to form secondary amines

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  4. ii c

    know the nucleophilic substitution reaction of amines with halogenoalkanes to form tertiary amines

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  5. ii d

    know the nucleophilic substitution reaction of amines with halogenoalkanes to form quaternary ammonium salts

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  6. iii

    know the use of quaternary ammonium salts as cationic surfactants

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  7. iv a

    know the nucleophilic addition-elimination reactions of ammonia with acyl chlorides

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  8. iv b

    know the nucleophilic addition-elimination reactions of ammonia with acid anhydrides

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  9. iv c

    know the nucleophilic addition-elimination reactions of primary amines with acyl chlorides

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  10. iv d

    know the nucleophilic addition-elimination reactions of primary amines with acid anhydrides

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  11. v a

    outline the mechanisms of nucleophilic substitution reactions of amines with halogenoalkanes

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  12. vi a

    outline the mechanisms of nucleophilic addition-elimination reactions of ammonia with acyl chlorides

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  13. vi b

    outline the mechanisms of nucleophilic addition-elimination reactions of primary amines with acyl chlorides

    Revise