Chemistry Chemical Bonding DUHS 2024
PMDC Verified Question 14 of 102
The structure of primary amines is:
A
Trigonal
B
Tetrahedral pyramidal
C
Planar
D
Linear
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option B: Tetrahedral pyramidal
Concept:

Primary amines (\( \text{R-NH}_2 \)) share the same core structural geometry as ammonia (\( \text{NH}_3 \)), driven by \( \text{sp}^3 \) hybridization with one lone pair.

Formula:

$$ \text{Type} = \text{AB}_3\text{E} $$

Solution:

  • In a primary amine, the central Nitrogen atom bonds to two Hydrogens and one Carbon group.


  • It retains 1 lone pair of electrons.


  • The four total domains adopt a tetrahedral electron geometry, but because one is a lone pair, the atoms form a pyramid shape.


  • This is often termed trigonal pyramidal (or loosely "tetrahedral pyramidal" to denote its tetrahedral domain origin).


Why other options are incorrect:

  • Option A, Option C, Option D: These geometries ignore the physical space required by the nitrogen's lone pair, which forces the bonds out of a flat plane.

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