Question

Identify the feature of a secondary amine formed by nucleophilic substitution of a halogenoalkane that means it will form a tertiary amine, rather than allowing all the primary amine molecules to form secondary amines.

Answer 1

The presence of three alkyl groups bonded to the nitrogen atom (N) in a secondary amine formed by nucleophilic substitution of a halogenoalkane allows it to form a tertiary amine instead of secondary amines.

Step-by-step explanation:

The feature of a secondary amine formed by nucleophilic substitution of a halogenoalkane that means it will form a tertiary amine, rather than allowing all the primary amine molecules to form secondary amines, is the presence of three alkyl groups bonded to the nitrogen atom (N). This makes it a tertiary amine.

Unlike haloalkenes and alcohols, the primary, secondary, and tertiary classification of amines is based on the presence of alkyl groups bonded with the nitrogen atom (N), regardless of the carbon atom (C) bonded to the nitrogen atom.

An example is the formation of trimethylamine, where three methyl groups (CH3) are bonded to the nitrogen atom, resulting in a tertiary amine.

Therefore, the number of alkyl groups bonded to the nitrogen atom determines the classification of amines as primary, secondary, or tertiary.