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Ch.21 - Organic Chemistry
Chapter 21, Problem 87a

Classify each amine reaction as acid–base or condensation and list its products. a. CH3NHCH3 + HCl →

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Identify the type of reaction: Determine if the reaction is an acid-base reaction or a condensation reaction. In this case, we have an amine (CH3NHCH3) reacting with HCl, which is a strong acid.
Recognize the nature of the reactants: CH3NHCH3 is a secondary amine, and HCl is a strong acid. Amines can act as bases because they have a lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom that can accept a proton (H+).
Predict the reaction: In an acid-base reaction, the amine will accept a proton from HCl. The lone pair on the nitrogen atom of the amine will bond with the hydrogen ion (H+) from HCl.
Write the products: The reaction will produce the corresponding ammonium salt. The amine (CH3NHCH3) will become protonated, forming CH3NH2CH3^+ (dimethylammonium ion), and the chloride ion (Cl^-) will be the counterion.
Summarize the reaction: The reaction is an acid-base reaction, and the products are the dimethylammonium chloride (CH3NH2CH3^+ Cl^-).

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Key Concepts

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

Acid-Base Reactions

Acid-base reactions involve the transfer of protons (H+) between reactants. In this context, an amine, which acts as a base, accepts a proton from an acid, such as HCl. The result is the formation of an ammonium ion and a chloride ion, illustrating the fundamental principle of proton transfer in acid-base chemistry.
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Amine Structure and Properties

Amines are organic compounds derived from ammonia (NH3) by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms with alkyl or aryl groups. They can act as bases due to the presence of a lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom, which can accept protons. Understanding the structure of amines is crucial for predicting their reactivity in acid-base reactions.
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Condensation Reactions

Condensation reactions involve the combination of two molecules with the loss of a small molecule, often water. While the given reaction is primarily an acid-base reaction, recognizing condensation reactions is important in organic chemistry, as they often lead to the formation of larger, more complex molecules through the elimination of simpler ones.
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