Electrostatic potential maps of trimethylamine

The chemistry of amines ts dominated by the lone pair of electrons on nitrogen, which makes amines both basic and nucleophilic. They react with acids to form acid-base salts, and they react with electrophiles in many of the polar reactions seen in past chapters. Note in the following electrostatic potential map of trimethylamine how the negative (red) region corresponds to the lone-pair of electrons on nitrogen. 

The nitrogen atom of an amine possesses a lone pair that represents a region of high electron density. This can be seen in an electrostatic potential map of trimethylamine (Figure 23.1). The presence of this lone pair is responsible for most of the reactions exhibited by amines. Specifically, the lone pair can function as a base or as a nucleophile ... 

An electrostatic potential map of trimethylamine. The red area indicates a region of high electron density. 

Nucleophilic atoms can also be identified by inspection of electrostatic potential maps. Reactive sites appeal as negative electrostatic potentials. Examine electrostatic potential maps for trimethylamine, methyl fluoride, and phenol. Identify the most nucleophilic atom in each molecule. Are these the same as you identified above using Lewis structures Are all sides of the nucleophilic atoms equally electron rich, or only particular regions ... 

Trichloroacetic acid, pKa of. 759 Trifluoroacetic acid, pKa of, 756 Trifluoromethylbenzene, electrostatic potential map of, 565 Triglyceride, see Triacylglycerol, 1061 Trimethylamine, bond angles in, 919 bond lengths in, 919 electrostatic potential map of, 921 molecular model of, 919 Trimethylammonium chloride, IR spectrum of, 953 Trimethylsilyl ether, cleavage of, 627-628... 

Amines deprotonate water to a small extent to form ammonium and hydroxide ions. Thus, amines are more strongly basic than alcohols but not nearly as basic as alkoxides. Protonation occurs at the site of the free electron pair as pictured in the electrostatic potential map of A,A-dimethylmethanamine (trimethylamine) in the margin. 

Nucleophiles can also act as acids and bases, and this behavior substantially alters their nucleophilicity. At pH 5, trimethylamine exists mainly as its conjugate acid, trimethylammonium cation. First draw a Lewis structure, and then examine the electrostatic potential for trimethylammonium ion. On the basis of the map, which is the better nucleophile, the cation or the corresponding neutral amine At pH 12, phenol exists mainly as its conjugate base, phenoxide anion. First draw a Lewis structure (or series of Lewis structures), and then examine the electrostatic potential map for phenoxide anion. Which is the better nucleophile, phenoxide or phenol ... 

Electrostatic potential map for transition state for Sn2 reaction of trimethylamine and methyl iodide shows negatively-charged regions (in red) and positively-charged regions (in blue). 

Calculate activation energies for Sn2 reactions of ammonia and trimethylamine with methyl iodide via transition states ammonia+methyl iodide and trimethyl-amine+methyl iodide, respectively. Is attack by ammonia or trimethylamine more facile Rationalize your observation by comparing electrostatic potential maps for the two transition states. Which transition state requires more charge separation Is this also the higher-energy transition state ... 

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