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Chemistry · Grades 10–12

Amines, amides and basicity

Locate nitrogen relative to a carbonyl before making comparisons.

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Learn the idea

Amine

In a simple amine, nitrogen is bonded to hydrogen and/or carbon groups without direct attachment to a carbonyl carbon.

Amide

An amide nitrogen is directly attached to a carbonyl carbon.

Electron distribution

Delocalization in an amide reduces the availability of the nitrogen lone pair compared with a simple amine.

Context

Basicity comparisons depend on structure and conditions; do not rank every nitrogen compound from one rule.

Worked examples

Which pattern is a simple amine?

The nitrogen is not attached to a carbonyl carbon.

CH₃NH₂.

Which pattern is an amide?

The nitrogen is directly attached to the carbonyl carbon.

CH₃CONH₂.

Check your understanding

  1. How many nitrogen atoms are in CH₃CONH₂?

  2. Why is the nitrogen lone pair less available in a simple amide than in a comparable amine?

    1. The nitrogen has no electrons.
    2. It has become a proton.
    3. It participates in delocalization with the carbonyl system.

  3. Why is “contains nitrogen” insufficient to classify a molecule as an amine?

Answers and marking notes

Answers and marking notes
  1. 1

    Only one N appears in the formula.

  2. It participates in delocalization with the carbonyl system.

    Electron delocalization affects basicity.

  3. Nitrogen occurs in amides, nitriles and many other groups.

    Connectivity determines the group.

Further reading and review references

These are reference links, not copied exercises, institutional endorsement or proof of independent review.

Independent educational review required. Grade bands are approximate; these are not officially aligned curricula.