# Ethylamine, C₂H₅NH₂, is an amine that dissolves in water to form an alkaline solution. Explain why ethylamine is described as a base and describe what would be observed when ethylamine solution is tested with damp red litmus paper. Then describe what happens when ethylamine reacts with hydrochloric acid, naming the type of reaction and the product formed.

> WJEC A-Level Chemistry (Wales) — 4.6 Amines · Explain · 5 marks

> Ethylamine is a colourless gas at room temperature that readily dissolves in water. It belongs to the class of organic compounds called amines.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Ethylamine is a base because it accepts a proton / H⁺ (from water or an acid)
2. The lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom is used to accept the proton
3. Damp red litmus paper turns blue
4. The reaction between ethylamine and hydrochloric acid is a neutralisation reaction
5. The product is ethylammonium chloride / a salt (C₂H₅NH₃⁺Cl⁻)

## Key terms

- [amine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/amine)
- [base](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/base)

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC A-Level Chemistry (Wales)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/ethylamine-c-h-nh-is-an-amine-that-2bdc7a42) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.