之间 means between (no more than 2), so these are acceptable:
Not acceptable:
中间 means among (more than 2), so this is acceptable:
And this isn't:
I'm trying to understand the difference between 之间 and 中间，is the above right? Moreover are 中间 and 中 the same（我们中（间））？
I think there's a couple more important distinctions.
中间 is used for when talking about the physical location being in the center/between.
ie. You would say:
箱子的中间有个人。
之间 is used when abstract things are in the center/between. This applies to things like numbers.
ie. You would say:
我们之间没有爱。
Here's a specific example of how the two words have a different meaning.
我们中间有障碍。 : There are (physical) obstacles between us.
我们之间有障碍。 : There are (mental) obstacles between us.
To me，中间could also mean "between" (no more than 2 things/persons), while it could also mean "among" if you are talking about more than 2 objects.
Like 我和他中间 is perfectly fine to use.
But 中间 seems to emphasize on "right in the center between two objects". while 之间 just says "anywhere between two objects".
I agree Ringil's answer, and I wanna add some inner meaning. try to feel following sentence
我们中间有奸细。 : There is a spy among us(/There are spies among us). (but not me.....)
我们中间有坏人。 : There is a jerk among us(/There are bad guys among us). (but not me......)
我们之间有障碍。 : There are (mental) obstacles between us.(You and me)
我们之间没有爱。 : There is no love between us.(You and me)
朋友之间要互相帮助。: One must help your friends when he's facing some difficulties.(I agree, and I will do this)
so when you are trying to express some information that you will emotionally and subjectively agree with, we often use "之间".
when you are trying to express some truely existed, objective and you strongly confirmed (after inferentially considering), we may use "中间".
Try to feel the atmosphere when you are talking, if you wanna be closer to the person you are talking with, use " " which one? if you can answer it, I think you may understand what I want to explain.. Hope it will help you...cheers.
之间 - in, during
中间 - middle, center
之间： Logically in between. 中间： Phasically in between.
之间 - "in-between". Usually refers to in between two persons - 在我和他之间...
中间 - "in the middle", "within", also can mean "between". Usually refers to within a group of people, or something physically in-between two objects.
把那張椅子放在中间 - Leave/put the chair in the middle.
在我們中间有人不同意 - Someone among/within us disagrees.
站在我們中間的是小梅 - The girl standing in between us (me and xx) is 小梅.
