The main difference between aniline and amine is that an aniline is a group that is generally attached to an aromatic group, whereas anime is derived from ammonia with the replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms by other substitutes.
Ammonia is a simple chemical compound that exists commonly as a gas. The chemical formula of ammonia is NH3. Amines and anilines are derivatives of ammonia. However, they are different in chemical structure and properties.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Aniline
– Definition, Features, Common Uses
2. What is Amine
– Definition, Features, Types
3. Relationship Between Aniline and Amine
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Aniline and Amine
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Aniline, Amine, Aminobenzene, Benzamine, Phenylamine
What is Aniline
Aniline is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5NH2. It consists of a phenyl group attached to an amino group. In fact, it is the simplest aromatic amine. It is an oily compound that is yellowish to brownish. The molecular weight of aniline is 93.13. It has a musty fishy odor. The melting point and the boiling points of aniline are -6 °C and 184 °C, respectively. Hence, it exists as a liquid at room temperature. Its vapor is heavier than the air. Aniline has a higher density than water. It is slightly soluble in water, but it mixes well with organic solvents. Other names for aniline are benzamine, phenylamine, or aminobenzene.
Upon combustion, it produces oxides of nitrogen which are toxic. This compound ignites easily, and it burns with a large smoky flame. It also reacts with strong acids, giving off salts containing anilinium. In addition, it reacts with acyl halides to form amides. The amides formed from aniline are sometimes called anilides. The reactivity of aniline derivatives is high in electrophilic substitution reactions, just like in phenols.
These compounds are toxic in nature. It is toxic when inhaled through the air or when it gets absorbed into the skin. This is because it produces nitrogen oxides, which are harmful to the environment.
In the acylation reactions, anilines react readily with carboxylic acids to form amides. In the oxidation reactions of aniline, one can note the formation of carbon-nitrogen-nitrogen bonds. Anilines are weak bases. Hydrogenation, alkylation, Wohl-Aue reaction, and diazotization reactions are some common reactions where aniline takes part.
Common Uses of Aniline
In the agricultural industry, aniline is used as a pesticide and a fungicide. It is also useful as a dying agent in manufacturing clothes such as jeans. Additionally, it plays an important role in the pharmaceutical industry. It is useful in the production of paracetamol, acetaminophen, and Tylenol. In the rubber industry, aniline is used for the processing of products and chemicals, such as gloves and car tires. Aniline is also helpful in the manufacture of polyurethane, which makes plastics.
What is Amine
Amines are a type of organic compound. They consist of a nitrogen atom and a lone pair. The amines form by replacing hydrogen atoms in ammonia; hence it could be said that they are derived from ammonia. The substituents that replace hydrogens in the formation of amines are mostly alkyl groups or aryl groups. We call them alkyl amines and aryl amines, respectively. Hence, there are different species of amines. Some common examples of amines are biogenic amines, amino acids, trimethylamine, and aniline. We even call inorganic derivatives of ammonia as amines.
Furthermore, we can group amines depending on the nature of the compound and the substitutes present on the nitrogen atom. Moreover, if an aromatic ring connects to the nitrogen atom, we call them aromatic amines. However, if only the hydrogens and alkyl groups are present in the amine, we call them aliphatic amines.
Types of Amines
We can classify amines into three subgroups depending on the number of hydrogen atoms that are replaced with the hydrocarbon groups. They are primary amines, secondary amines, and tertiary amines.
In primary amines, either an alkyl group or an aromatic group replaces one of the three hydrogen atoms. It also has several subdivisions as primary alkyl amines and primary aryl amines. Examples of primary alkyl amines are most amino acids and methyl amines. An example of primary aromatic amines is aniline. On the other hand, secondary amines are amines that have two hydrogen atoms replaced. Only one hydrogen atom attaches to the amine. Examples of such secondary amines are dimethyl amine and diphenylamine, which is a secondary aromatic amine. Moreover, in tertiary amines nitrogen, three organic substitutes replace all three hydrogens. An example of such a tertiary amine is trimethylamine.
Amines help in the production of medicines, personal care products, drugs, azo dyes, and nylon. They are also useful in crop protection and the purification of water.
Relationship Between Aniline and Amine
- Both amines and anilines are derivatives of ammonia.
- In fact, aniline is a specific type of amine.
Difference Between Aniline and Amine
Definition
Aniline is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5NH2 while amine is an organic compound that contains nitrogen atoms with a lone pair.
Structure
Aniline is a group that is generally attached to an aromatic ring, whereas anime is derived from ammonia with the replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms by other substitutes.
Presence of an Aromatic Ring
Aniline has an aromatic ring, whereas amines may or may not contain aromatic rings.
Grouping
Anilines are single species of a chemical compound, whereas amines can be further subdivided into three groups; primary amines, secondary amines, and tertiary amines.
Conclusion
The main difference between aniline and amine is that an aniline is a group that is generally attached to an aromatic group, whereas anime is derived from ammonia with the replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms by other substitutes.
Reference:
1. “Aniline.” PubChem. National Library of Medicine.
2. “Amine.” Science Direct.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Dimethylamine 3D ball” By Jynto (talk) – created with Discovery Studio Visualizer. (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Aniline delocolising electron density to the ring” By RSC Publishing – Royal Society of Chemistry – (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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