Contextualization

Amines are a group of compounds of great importance in organic and biochemistry. Their compounds are found in many everyday applications, from drugs to dyes. In nature, they are components of proteins, nucleic acids, alkaloids, among others.

The classification of amines is based on the amount of alkyl or aryl groups attached to nitrogen. Amines can be primary, secondary, or tertiary. Amines can also be classified as aliphatic, when the groups attached to nitrogen are only alkyl, and aromatic, when one or more groups attached to nitrogen are aryl.

The nomenclature of amines depends on the complexity of the molecule. In most cases, the nomenclature starts with the name of the alkyl groups in alphabetical order, followed by the word 'amine'. However, if the amine is part of a more complex molecule, it is named as a substitution, with the prefix 'amino-'.

Amines are extremely relevant from a biological and pharmacological point of view, as they are present in various bioactive molecules. Some examples include neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, as well as medications used in the treatment of diseases such as malaria and depression.

Furthermore, amines are used in various industries, such as the textile industry, where they are used in dye manufacturing, and the plastic industry, where they are essential in polymer production. However, it is important to highlight that some amines can be harmful to health and the environment, so it is essential to understand their structure, reactivity, and toxicity.

To deepen your knowledge, I suggest consulting the book 'Organic Chemistry' by Vollhardt and Schore, as well as relevant articles on reliable sites like the education portal of Brasil Escola. Additionally, the YouTube Chemistry channel 'Química em Ação' has a series of detailed videos on amines that may be useful throughout this project.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: 'A Dive into the World of Amines: From Industrial Contexts to Environmental Impacts'

Project Objective:

Students must develop a research project on amines that requires an in-depth investigation into the classification, nomenclature, and applications of amines, as well as their environmental and health impacts.

Detailed Activity Description:

1. Research Phase: During this phase, each group must research a type of amine (primary, secondary, tertiary, aliphatic, or aromatic). The group must understand the structure, properties, and nomenclature of this type of amine, as well as research its industrial and medical applications. They should then research the risks that this type of amine may pose to health and the environment.

2. Creation of an Infographic: Based on the information collected, the groups must create a creative and informative infographic that describes the structure, nomenclature, applications, and risks associated with the amine they researched. This infographic should be creative and visually appealing, as well as contain all information clearly.

3. Oral Presentation: Each group will present their infographic to the class, explaining all aspects of the amine they researched. During the presentation, the groups must be prepared to answer questions and discuss the topics presented.

Required Materials:

• Internet access for research.
• Software for infographic design (can be any available, such as Canva, Piktochart, etc.).
• Classroom access for presentation.

Step by Step:

1. Groups are formed, and each group chooses an amine to research.
2. In-depth research is conducted on the chosen amine.
3. The group creates the infographic based on the collected information.
4. The groups prepare an oral presentation based on the produced infographic.
5. Each group presents their infographic to the class and discusses the topic.

Project Deliverables:

Upon completion of the three steps above, the groups must write a detailed report. This report should contain the following elements:

1. Introduction: In this section, students must contextualize their chosen amine, explaining its importance and real-world applications. They must also clarify the purpose of the project and which amine they researched.

2. Development: This section will be the core of the report. Here, students must explain in detail the structure, nomenclature, and properties of the amine they researched. They must also detail their findings on the amine's applications in industry, medicine, and possible environmental and health impacts. Additionally, students must describe the research methodology adopted and how they developed the infographic.

3. Conclusions: Students must reflect on what they learned throughout the project. This section should summarize the main points of the research, highlight the most important findings, and discuss what the students concluded from the data collected and the discussions held during the presentations.

4. Bibliography: Finally, students must cite all sources of information used throughout the research, including books, websites, videos, among others. The references should be ordered according to ABNT standards.

This project should take between five to ten hours for each student, and the deadline for submission will be one month from the start date. The activity should be done in groups of 3 to 5 students.