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.
Some cards in this deck are on other syllabus topics: 34.1 Primary and secondary amines. Each card is labelled with its topic.
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
2025-2027 syllabus, in our words · A2 LevelWhat the syllabus expects you to be able to do in this topic, in plain English. For the exact wording, see the official syllabus (PDF).
- Recall how amines can be made: (a) by heating a halogenoalkane with NH₃ in ethanol under pressure. Classifying amines is not tested at this stage of the course.
Also in this deck: 34.1 Primary and secondary amines
- Recall the reagents and conditions for making primary and secondary amines: (a) heating a halogenoalkane with NH₃ in ethanol under pressure; (b) heating a halogenoalkane with a primary amine in ethanol in a sealed tube or under pressure; (c) LiAlH₄ reduction of amides; (d) reduction of nitriles by LiAlH₄ or H₂/Ni.
- Describe how an acyl chloride and ammonia, or an amine, undergo a condensation reaction at room temperature to form an amide.
- Describe the basic behaviour of amines in aqueous solution and explain it.
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 these topics
- › Compare basicity by discussing the availability of the lone pair to be donated to form a dative/coordinate bond.
Topic 34.1 · Primary and secondary amines
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.
Topic 19.1 · Primary amines
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.
Topic 19.1 · Primary amines
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.
Topic 19.1 · Primary amines
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.
Topic 34.1 · Primary and secondary amines
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.
Topic 34.1 · Primary and secondary amines
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.
More Chemistry flashcards
Browse every 9701 flashcard topic by syllabus area.
All Chemistry FlashcardsMore topics in Unit 19 — Nitrogen compounds
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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