Amines are organic compounds derived by replacing hydrogen atoms of an ammonia molecule with alkyl/aryl groups.

The presence of an unshared pair of electrons on nitrogen causes the angle C–N–E (where E is C or H) to be less than 109.5°; for example, it is 108° in trimethylamine.

Nitriles are hydrolyzed to amides and then to carboxylic acids in the presence of H⁺ or OH⁻ as catalysts. Mild reaction conditions are employed to halt the reaction at the amide stage.

Primary and secondary alkyl groups in alkylbenzenes are oxidized to form carboxylic acids. The oxidation is achieved through the use of oxidizing agents such as chromic acid or acidic/alkaline potassium permanganate.

Aromatic carboxylic acids are prepared by oxidizing alkylbenzenes using chromic acid or acidic/alkaline potassium permanganate. The entire side chain is oxidized to the carboxyl group, with primary and secondary alkyl groups affected while tertiary groups remain unaffected.