In organic chemistry, alkylammonium refers to cations of the formula [R4−nNHn]+, where R = alkyl and 1≤ n ≤ 4. The cations with four alkyl substituents, i.e., [R4N]+, are further classified as quaternary ammonium cations and are discussed more thoroughly in the article with that title. In contrast to quaternary ammonium cations, other members of the alkylammonium cations do not exist appreciably in the presence of strong base because they undergo deprotonation, yielding the parent amine. The alkylammonium cations containing N-H centers are colorless and often hydrophilic.

Occurrence

Crystal structure of CH3NH3PbI3. The methylammonium cation (CH3NH3+) is surrounded by PbI6 octahedra, the basis of perovskite solar cells.[1]

Alkylammonium species are pervasive since virtually all alkyl amines protonate near neutral pH.[2]

Examples of technologically significant alkylammonium compounds are:

2 R2NH + CS2 → [R2NH2+][R2NCS2−]

References

  1. ^ Li, Hui; Zhang, Wei (2020). "Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells: From Fundamentals to Commercial Deployment". Chemical Reviews. 120 (18): 9835–9950. doi:10.1021/acs.chemrev.9b00780. PMID 32786417. S2CID 221123260.
  2. ^ Smith, J. W. (1968). "Basicity and Complex Formation". In S. Patai (ed.). The Amino Group (1968). pp. 161–204. doi:10.1002/9780470771082.ch4. ISBN 9780470771082.
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