Amines

Amines are a class of organic compounds that contain nitrogen.
They can be viewed as derivatives of ammonia where one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by an alkyl or aryl group.
Their structure can be primary, secondary or tertiary, depending on the number of alkyl/aryl groups attached to the nitrogen.
They are generally classified as weak bases due to the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom that can accept a proton (H+).
Amines with lower molecular weights are often gaseous at room temperature and have fishy odours.

A primary amine can be made by the nucleophilic substitution reaction between haloalkanes and excess ammonia.
Secondary and tertiary amines can be made in a similar way, but the reaction rate is slower and requires a larger excess of ammonia.
The reaction of alcohol with ammonia in the presence of an acid catalyst can form an amine.
Amide reduction using LiAlH4 or by catalytic hydrogenation can produce amines.

Amines react with acids to form ammonium salts.
When amines react with halogenoalkanes, they undergo N-substitution to form secondary, tertiary amines, and quaternary ammonium salts.
The reaction of amines with nitrous acid (HNO2) can form different products depending on whether the amine is primary, secondary, or tertiary.

Being able to predict the physical and chemical properties of various amines is an important skill.
Draw mechanisms for reactions involving amines and be able to predict products for given starting materials.
Understanding the ways in which amines can be synthesised will also extend your understanding of organic synthesis more broadly.
Familiarity with these properties and reactions is key for predicting the behaviour of amines in organic chemistry and biochemistry.