Advanced Chemistry: Amines, Amino Acids & Peptides

The human body relies on two types of amino acids to build the proteins necessary for proper functioning. This course details amino acids, a class of nitrogen compounds that include amines and amides. First, we explore amines, which are organic compounds derived from ammonia. You'll discover primary, secondary and tertiary amines and their general formulae. The synthesis of amines through haloalkane nucleophilic substitution, potassium cyanide reaction with alkyl halides, and reduction with lithium tetrahydridoaluminate are then explained.

We then study how phenylamine undergoes electrophilic aromatic substitution and interacts with nitrous acid to produce diazonium salt. The material delves into several forms of amino acids, such as α-amino acids, non-polar and polar uncharged amino acids. You'll discover their structures, as well as the formation of zwitterions. Following that, we will go over the condensation reaction between two amino acids, which results in an amide bond between the two molecules and the elimination of a water molecule.

In the final section, we cover amide compounds and their preparation using acyl chlorides. Then, we explain how amides undergo acid and basic hydrolysis to form carboxylic acids, carboxylic salt and amines. Lastly, you'll discover electrophoresis and what it involves, including adding a chemical dye that results in a sequence of bands called ‘electropherograms’ and using a buffer solution to maintain a set pH. Gain a deeper understanding of organic nitrogen compounds with this advanced chemistry course. Why wait? Join right away - no subscription or registration fees!