Introduction to Organic Compounds Containing Nitrogen

Organic compounds containing nitrogen are a high-yield topic in NEET Organic Chemistry. These compounds have nitrogen atoms in functional groups, which significantly influence their reactivity, basicity, and biological importance.

Main classes include:

• Amines (R-NH2, R2NH, R3N) – Derived from ammonia.

• Diazonium salts (Ar-N2+X−) – Key intermediates in aromatic substitution reactions.

• Nitro compounds (R-NO2) – Contain the nitro functional group.

• Cyanides and Isocyanides (R-CN, R-NC) – Contain a triple bond between carbon and nitrogen.

Understanding these compounds is essential for NEET because they are frequently tested in reactions, mechanisms, and application-based questions.

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Nomenclature of Nitrogen-Containing Compounds

Amines:

• Primary: Replace –e with –amine (CH3NH2 → Methylamine).

• Secondary/Tertiary: N-substituted naming (CH3NHCH3 → N-Methylmethanamine).

Diazonium Salts:

• Named as aryl diazonium salts with counterion (C6H5N2+Cl− → Benzenediazonium chloride).

Nitro Compounds:

• Prefix “nitro-” + parent hydrocarbon (CH3NO2 → Nitroethane).

Cyanides and Isocyanides:

• Cyanides: –CN attached to carbon chain (CH3CN → Ethanenitrile).

• Isocyanides: –NC functional group (CH3NC → Methyl isocyanide).

Correct IUPAC nomenclature is frequently tested in NEET.

Physical Properties

• Amines: Primary and secondary amines form hydrogen bonds, increasing boiling points. Tertiary amines have lower boiling points.

• Diazonium salts: Usually stable at low temperatures; soluble in water.

• Nitro compounds: Polar, moderate to high boiling points.

• Cyanides/Isocyanides: Volatile liquids or solids; polar due to –CN group.

Physical properties help in understanding intermolecular forces and solubility trends, important for NEET reasoning questions.

Basicity and Acidity

• Amines: Nitrogen lone pair acts as a base; tertiary amines less basic in water due to solvation effects.

• Diazonium salts: Weakly acidic, reactive intermediates.

• Nitro compounds: Electron-withdrawing nitro group reduces basicity of adjacent atoms.

• Cyanides: Mildly basic; isocyanides have unique reactivity.

NEET often tests basicity trends and factors influencing reactivity.

Reactions of Amines

1. Alkylation & Acylation – Formation of higher amines or amides.

2. Reaction with nitrous acid (HNO2):

   • Primary aliphatic amines → Alcohols

   • Primary aromatic amines → Diazonium salts

3. Hofmann Bromamide Reaction: Converts primary amides to primary amines.

4. Electrophilic substitution (aromatic amines): Amino group is activating, ortho/para-directing.

NEET questions focus on mechanisms, products, and orientation of substitution.

Reactions of Diazonium Salts

Diazonium salts are key intermediates in organic synthesis, especially in aromatic substitution reactions:

1. Sandmeyer Reaction: Replacement of diazonium group with Cl, Br, CN, OH.

2. Coupling Reactions: Formation of azo dyes with phenols or aromatic amines.

3. Gattermann Reaction: Introduction of Cl or CN using Cu salts.

Understanding diazonium chemistry is critical for NEET’s reaction and application-based questions.

Reactions of Nitro Compounds

1. Reduction – Nitro compounds reduce to amines (primary, secondary, or tertiary depending on conditions).

2. Electrophilic Substitution (Aromatic Nitro Compounds): Nitro group is deactivating, meta-directing.

3. Formation Reactions: From halides using nucleophilic substitution.

NEET often tests distinguishing reactions of nitro compounds and their effect on reactivity.

Reactions of Cyanides and Isocyanides

1. Hydrolysis: Cyanides → Carboxylic acids; Isocyanides → Amines.

2. Grignard Reaction: Cyanides react with Grignard reagents → Ketones.

3. Substitution Reactions: Cyanides participate in SN2 reactions due to –CN nucleophilicity.

Understanding cyanide reactivity is essential for NEET organic synthesis questions.

Applications

1. Amines: Used in dyes, drugs (e.g., local anesthetics), and polymers.

2. Diazonium salts: Precursors for azo dyes, pigments, and intermediates in organic synthesis.

3. Nitro compounds: Used in explosives, dyes, and pharmaceuticals.

4. Cyanides: Used in organic synthesis and nitrile-based drugs.

Connecting reactions to applications enhances conceptual understanding for NEET.

Tips for NEET Students

1. Focus on nomenclature, functional group identification, and reactions.

2. Learn basicity trends and orientation in electrophilic substitution.

3. Understand diazonium chemistry and its applications in synthesis.

4. Use reaction flowcharts and tables to memorize reduction and substitution pathways.

5. Practice distinguishing tests and mechanism-based MCQs.

Conclusion

Organic Compounds Containing Nitrogen are high-yield topics in NEET Organic Chemistry. Mastering amines, diazonium salts, nitro compounds, cyanides, reactions, and applications allows students to confidently solve a variety of NEET questions.

At StudentBro.in, we provide concise, exam-focused notes for NEET 2026 aspirants, enabling them to revise efficiently, strengthen conceptual clarity, and score higher in exams.