3.7.2

Basicity & Nucleophilicity

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Basicity and Nucleophilicity

Amines display both basic and nucleophilic behaviour. We also will look at quaternary ammonium salts.

Illustrative background for BasicityIllustrative background for Basicity ?? "content

Basicity

  • Amines contain a lone pair of electrons. This makes the amine attracted to positive charge and, in particular, to protons.
    • This gives them the basic property of being able to accept protons - as shown above.
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Nucleophilicty

  • The lone pair on the nitrogen also makes amines nucleophilic.
    • It is attracted to positive charge.
    • They react with halogenoalkanes, acyl chlorides and acid anhydrides in nucleophilic reactions.
Illustrative background for Quaternary ammonium saltsIllustrative background for Quaternary ammonium salts ?? "content

Quaternary ammonium salts

  • Quaternary ammonium salts can be used as cationic surfactants.
  • Surfactants lower the surface tension of a liquid.
    • They can act as detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, and dispersants.
  • The cationic surfactant has a hydrophilic head, which is able to interact with water, and a hydrophobic tail, which interacts with organic matter such as oils or fats.

Jump to other topics

1Physical Chemistry

1.1Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry

1.2Atomic Structure

1.3Chemical Bonding

1.4States of Matter

1.5Chemical Energetics

1.6Electrochemistry

1.7Equilibria

1.8Partition Coefficient

1.9Reaction Kinetics

2Inorganic Chemistry

3Organic Chemistry & Analysis

3.1Introduction to Organic Chemistry

3.2Hydrocarbons

3.3Halogen Derivatives

3.4Hydroxy Compounds

3.5Carbonyl Compounds

3.6Carboxylic Acids & Derivatives

3.7Nitrogen Compounds

3.8Polymerisation

3.9Analytical Techniques

3.10Organic Synthesis

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