Dimethylamine(CH3) 2 NHhas a molecular weight of 45 and a boiling point of 7.40C. Trimethylamine, (CH3) 3N, has a higher molecular weight (59) but a lower boiling point(3.50C) . Explain this apparent discrepancy.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Dimethylamine molecules are linked by hydrogen bonding and hence comprise a greater boiling point.

The interactions in trimethylamine are dipole-dipole interactions which are weaker than the hydrogen bonding. Hence, they possess a low boiling point.

Step by step solution

01

Amines

Amines can be of numerous kinds based on the carbon atoms connected to the nitrogen atom. Primary amine constitute amines where one of the hydrogen atoms is substituted with an alkyl or aryl group.

02

Boiling point of amines

Amines comprise significant boiling points than amino acids. This is due to their ability to form hydrogen bonds because of the hydrogen and electronegative nitrogen atom.

03

Difference in boiling point of dimethylamine and trimethylamine

Dimethylamine, (CH3) 2molecules are linked by intermolecular hydrogen bonding, so it has a greater boiling point. The hydrogen bonding takes more energy to separate the molecules from each other. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding is absent in trimethylamine molecules.

Trimethylamine,(CH3) 3molecules possess weak intermolecular bonds which are dipole-dipole interactions. These interactions are weaker than the hydrogen bonds. Since trimethylamine cannot hydrogen bond, it takes less energy to segregate these molecules from each other.

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