The geometry of a nitrogen atom bonded to three other atoms or groups of atoms is trigonal pyramidal (Section 1.4). The sp, bybridized nitrogen atom is at the apex of the Pyramid, and the three groups bouded to it extend densaward to form the triangular base of the prramid. If we consider the unshared pair of electrons on nitrogen as a foeurth grosp, then the amrangement of "groups" around nitrogen is approximately tetrahedral. Berause of this geoenetry, an ansine with three different groups bonded to nitrogen is chiral and can exist as a pair of enantiomers, as illustrated by the nonsuperporable mirror images of ethyimethylamine. In assigning configuration to these enantiomers, the groxp of lowest prioxity on nitrogen is the unshared pair of electrons.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the geometry of nitrogen atom bonded to three groups

A nitrogen atom bonded to three groups forms a trigonal pyramidal shape, with the nitrogen atom at the apex of the pyramid and the three groups extending downward to form the triangular base. If we consider the unshared pair of electrons on nitrogen as a fourth group, the arrangement of these groups around nitrogen is approximately tetrahedral.

02

Explain chirality in amines with three different groups

An amine molecule with three different groups bonded to the nitrogen atom is chiral because it cannot be superimposable on its mirror image. This means the molecule has a unique three-dimensional orientation in space, and it can exist as a pair of enantiomers, which are non-superposable mirror images of each other. An example of this is ethylmethylamine.

03

Assigning configuration to the enantiomers

In order to assign configuration to the enantiomers, we need to rank the groups around the chiral center, which is the nitrogen atom in this case, according to the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog (CIP) system. The group of lowest priority on nitrogen is the unshared pair of electrons. After ranking the groups, we can determine the absolute configuration as either R (clockwise) or S (counterclockwise) based on the orientation of the remaining groups and their priority order.

04

Summary

In conclusion, an amine molecule with three different groups bonded to a nitrogen atom forms a trigonal pyramidal shape and is chiral, existing as a pair of enantiomers. The configuration of these enantiomers can be assigned using the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog system, considering the unshared pair of electrons on nitrogen as the group of lowest priority.

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