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Organic Chemistry: Amines and Amino Acids - SS3 Chemistry Past Questions and Answers - page 2

11

Which of the following is a physical property of aromatic amines?

 

A

Strong odour

 

B

Low boiling point

 

C

High solubility in water

 

D

Reactivity with metals

correct option: a

Aromatic amines often have strong, characteristic odours due to their chemical structures. This property is a result of their aromatic rings, which contribute to their distinct smells.

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12

Discuss the physical and chemical properties of amines. Explain how the presence of the amino functional group affects their boiling points, solubility, and basicity. Provide examples to illustrate the chemical reactivity of amines, including their involvement in nucleophilic substitution and salt formation.

Physical and Chemical Properties of Amines:

Physical Properties:

1.    Boiling Points: Amines have higher boiling points than hydrocarbons of similar molecular weight due to hydrogen bonding. Primary and secondary amines can form intermolecular hydrogen bonds between their hydrogen and nitrogen atoms, resulting in stronger attractive forces and elevated boiling points.

2.    Solubility: Smaller amines, especially those with fewer than six carbon atoms, are generally soluble in water due to hydrogen bonding between the amino groups and water molecules. However, as the alkyl groups attached to the nitrogen increase in size, the solubility in water decreases.

3.    Basicity: Amines are weak bases due to the presence of a lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom. They can accept a proton (H+) from an acid to form an ammonium ion (RNH3+). The basicity of amines increases with the availability of the lone pair of electrons, which is influenced by the number of alkyl or aryl groups attached to the nitrogen. Tertiary amines are more basic than secondary amines, and secondary amines are more basic than primary amines.

Chemical Properties:

1.    Nucleophilic Substitution: Amines can act as nucleophiles in nucleophilic substitution reactions. They can displace other groups, such as halides, in reactions with alkyl halides to form secondary and tertiary amines. Primary amines can further undergo substitution reactions to form quaternary ammonium salts.

Example: Ethylamine (CH3CH2NH2) reacts with methyl iodide (CH3I) to form N-methylethanamine (CH3CH2N(CH3)2):

CH3CH2NH2 + CH3I → CH3CH2N(CH3)2 + HI

2.    Salt Formation: Amines can react with acids to form salts. The lone pair on the nitrogen atom of the amine attacks the hydrogen ion (H+) of the acid, forming an ammonium ion (RNH3+). These salts are generally water-soluble due to their ionic nature.

Example: Dimethylamine (CH3NHCH3) reacts with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form dimethylammonium chloride (CH3NH3Cl):

CH3NHCH3 + HCl → CH3NH3Cl

3.    Aromaticity: Aromatic amines are a special class of amines where the amino group is attached directly to an aromatic ring. These amines exhibit enhanced stability and resonance due to the delocalization of electrons in the ring, making them important in the field of medicinal chemistry.

Example: Aniline is an aromatic amine where the amino group is attached to a benzene ring.

In conclusion, amines display distinctive physical and chemical properties due to the presence of the amino functional group. Their boiling points and solubility are influenced by hydrogen bonding, while their basicity is determined by the number of alkyl or aryl groups attached to the nitrogen. Amines participate in various chemical reactions, such as nucleophilic substitutions and salt formation, making them versatile compounds in organic chemistry. Additionally, aromatic amines hold particular significance in medicinal applications. Understanding the properties and reactivity of amines is crucial for their utilisation in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and other industries.

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13

Amino acids are the building blocks of:

 

A

Carbohydrates

 

B

Lipids

 

C

Proteins

 

D

Nucleic acids

correct option: c
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14

Amino acids contain which functional group?

 

A

Carbonyl group (C=O)

 

B

Carboxyl group (COOH)

 

C

Hydroxyl group (OH)

 

D

Alkene group (C=C)

correct option: b
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15

How many standard (proteinogenic) amino acids are there in the genetic code?

 

A

20

 

B

25

 

C

22

 

D

18

correct option: a
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16

Amino acids are classified based on the nature of their side chains (R-groups) into:

 

A

Non-polar, polar, and charged

 

B

Aliphatic and aromatic

 

C

Branched and linear

 

D

Basic and acidic

correct option: a
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17

Which of the following is an example of a non-polar amino acid?

 

A

Glutamine

 

B

Serine

 

C

Leucine

 

D

Arginine

correct option: c
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18

The pKa of the carboxyl group in amino acids is typically around:

 

A

1-2

 

B

4-5

 

C

7-8

 

D

10-11

correct option: b
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19

The isoelectric point (pI) of an amino acid is the pH at which:

 

A

The amino acid is in its protonated form

 

B

The amino acid is in its deprotonated form

 

C

The amino acid is in its zwitterionic form (equal numbers of positive and negative charges)

 

D

The amino acid has the highest solubility

correct option: c
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20

Which of the following amino acids is essential and must be obtained from the diet?

 

A

Glutamic acid

 

B

Asparagine

 

C

Glycine

 

D

Valine

correct option: d
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