Skip to main content
Ch.21 - Organic Chemistry
Chapter 21, Problem 86a

Draw the structure for each amine.
a. isopropylamine

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the structure of the isopropyl group. Isopropyl is a common name for the group (CH₃)₂CH−, which is a three-carbon chain with a branching at the middle carbon.
Recognize that an amine is a compound derived from ammonia (NH₃) where one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by alkyl or aryl groups.
For isopropylamine, replace one hydrogen atom in ammonia with an isopropyl group. This means attaching the isopropyl group to the nitrogen atom.
Draw the nitrogen atom (N) and attach the isopropyl group ((CH₃)₂CH−) to it. The nitrogen will also have two hydrogen atoms attached, completing the amine structure.
Ensure that the nitrogen atom has a lone pair of electrons, which is characteristic of amines, and check that all atoms have the correct number of bonds: carbon with four, nitrogen with three, and hydrogen with one.

Verified Solution

Video duration:
1m
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Amines

Amines are organic compounds derived from ammonia (NH3) by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms with alkyl or aryl groups. They can be classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary based on the number of carbon-containing groups attached to the nitrogen atom. Amines are characterized by their basicity and can participate in hydrogen bonding, influencing their physical properties.
Recommended video:
Guided course
00:28
Rules for Naming Amines

Isopropyl Group

The isopropyl group is a branched alkyl group with the formula -CH(CH3)2, derived from propane. It consists of a central carbon atom bonded to two methyl groups and one hydrogen atom. This structure is significant in organic chemistry as it affects the reactivity and properties of the compounds it is part of, such as isopropylamine.
Recommended video:
Guided course
02:02
The Alkyl Groups Example

Structural Representation

Structural representation in chemistry involves depicting the arrangement of atoms within a molecule. This can be done using various methods, such as Lewis structures, condensed formulas, or skeletal formulas. Understanding how to draw these structures is essential for visualizing molecular geometry, predicting reactivity, and communicating chemical information effectively.
Recommended video:
Guided course
01:42
Resonance Structures