Amines are organic compounds mainly derived from ammonia. They play a pivotal role in life since they are used in making amino acids, proteins, vitamins, and so on. Amines are also used in the preparation of azo-dyes as well as nylon and are largely used in developing chemicals especially for water purification, and crop protection. Additionally, Ethanolamines, one of the common types of amines, are used globally.
Below are some of the characteristics that determine the uses of amines.
Water solubility
Amines tend to be insoluble in water because, despite being able to form hydrogen bonds with H 2 O, its majority organic compound is hydrophobic. The more voluminous or long the R groups are, the lower their solubility in water will be.
When there is an acid in the medium, however, the solubility is increased by the formation of what are known as amine salts. In them, nitrogen has a positive partial charge, which electrostatically attracts the anion or conjugate base of the acid.
Basicity
Amines are used as they are stronger organic bases than ammonia. The higher the electronic density around the nitrogen atom, the more basic it will be; that is to say, it will depot non the acids (I didn’t understand this word) in the medium more quickly. If the amine is very basic, it can even snatch the proton from the alcohols.
Industrial uses of Amines –
Textile Industry
The primary aromatic amines can serve as a starting material for the synthesis of azo dyes. Initially, the amines react to form diazonium salts, which form the azo compounds by azo coupling (or diazo coupling).
As amines have intense coloration characteristic they are used in the textile industry as a dyeing material; for example methyl orange, direct brown 138, FCF sunset yellow, and ponceau.
Drugs
Many medications work with agonists and antagonists of natural amine neurotransmitters. Examples:
-Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine used in the control of allergic processes due to the intake of some foods, hay fever, insect bites, etc.
-Chlorpromazine is a sedative, not a sleep-inducing agent. Relieves anxiety and is even used in the treatment of some mental disorders.
-Amitriptyline and imipramine are tertiary amines that are used in the treatment of depression. Due to their structure, they are classified as tricyclic antidepressants.
Gas Treatment
Other main uses of amines are for gas treatment. Several amines, including diglycollamine (DGA) and diethanolamine (DEA), are used in the elimination of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S) gases present in natural gas and refineries.
Agrochemicals
Methylamines are intermediates in the synthesis of chemical products that are used in agriculture as herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, and biocides.
Resin manufacturing
Methylamines are used during the elaboration of ion exchange resins, usable in the deionization of water.
Animal feed industry
Trimethylamine (TMA) is used primarily in the production of choline chloride, a vitamin B supplement used in the feed of chickens, turkeys, and pigs.
Rubber industry
Dimethylamine oleate (DMA) is an emulsifier for use in the production of synthetic rubber. DMA is used directly as a vaporization polymerization modifier for butadiene, and as a stabilizer for natural rubber latex in place of ammonia.
Solvents
Dimethylamine (DMA) and monomethyl amine (MMA) are used to synthesize aprotic polar solvents dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylacetamide (DMAc), and n-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP).
Applications of DMF include urethane coating, acrylic yarn solvent, reaction solvents, and extraction solvents.
DMAc is used in the manufacture of dyestuff and yarn solvent. Finally, NMP is used in the refining of lubricating oils, paint strippers, and enamel coating.