The condensed formula of ethanamine is C2H5NH2.
Ethanamine, commonly known as ethylamine, is a fundamental organic compound classified as a primary amine. Its condensed formula provides a simplified yet informative representation of its molecular structure, indicating the arrangement of atoms without explicitly showing all individual bonds.
Understanding the Condensed Formula
A condensed structural formula is a compact way to write organic molecules, showing the atoms connected to each carbon atom in sequence. It summarizes the structure by grouping hydrogen atoms with the carbon atom they are attached to and indicating functional groups.
Ethanamine is composed of two primary parts:
- Ethyl Group (C2H5-): This is a two-carbon alkyl chain derived from ethane. In a condensed form, it's often written as CH3CH2-.
- Amino Group (-NH2): This is the characteristic functional group of amines, consisting of a nitrogen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms.
When these two groups combine, the ethyl group forms a bond with the nitrogen atom of the amino group, resulting in the structure represented by C2H5NH2.
Here's a breakdown of its components:
| Component | Chemical Formula | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ethyl Group | C2H5- (or CH3CH2-) | A two-carbon chain |
| Amino Group | -NH2 | The functional group characteristic of amines |
| Ethanamine | C2H5NH2 | The combination of the ethyl and amino groups |
Why C2H5NH2?
The formula C2H5NH2 clearly indicates:
- C2H5: The presence of an ethyl group, meaning there are two carbon atoms and five hydrogen atoms attached to them. This can be visualized as CH3 connected to CH2.
- NH2: The presence of a primary amino group, where the nitrogen atom is bonded directly to the carbon chain and two hydrogen atoms.
This condensed representation is widely used in chemistry because it is concise and effectively conveys the molecular connectivity. For more details on how condensed structural formulas are written, you can explore resources on organic chemistry notation, such as those provided by LibreTexts Chemistry.
Practical Insights into Ethanamine
Ethanamine is the simplest primary amine containing an ethyl group. It's an important industrial chemical with a variety of applications:
- Manufacturing: Used in the production of dyes, pesticides, resins, and rubber chemicals.
- Solvent: It can act as a solvent in some chemical reactions.
- Intermediate: Serves as a chemical intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and other organic compounds.
It is a colorless gas or volatile liquid at room temperature with a strong, ammonia-like odor. For more information on ethylamine's properties and uses, you can refer to chemical databases like PubChem.
