Naming conventions

For primary amines, where the amine is not the principal characteristic group, the prefix “amino-” is used. For example: 4-aminobenzoic acid where the carboxylic acid is the principal characteristic. Otherwise, the suffix “-amine” is used with with either the parent hybride or the R group substituent name. Example: ethanamine or ethylamine. Alternatively, the suffix “-azane” can be appended to the R group substituent name: Example: propylazane.

For secondary, tertiary, and quarternary amines, the naming convention is a bit different, but the suffixes are the same. For symmetrical amines, the “di” or “tri” prefix is used depending on whether there are 2 or 3 substituents. For example, dipropylamine is a secondary amine, and triphenylamine is a tertiary amine. For asymmetric amines, the parent chain gets the “-amine” suffix. This name is then prefixed with “N-” (indicating the nitrogen bond) and the substituent group name, for each substituent, using alphabetic order for tertiary amides. For example, N-ethyl-N-methyl-propylamine, not N-methyl-N-ethyl-propylamine.

To sum up:

• as prefix: “amino-“
• as suffix: “-amine”
• the prefix “N-” shows substitution on the nitrogen atom (in the case of secondary, tertiary and quaternary amines)

Systematic names for some common amines:

methylamine

• Primary amines: ethanamine or ethylamine.
• Secondary amines: dimethylamine
• Tertiary amines: trimethylamine

مواضيع ذات صلة

The molecular orbitals of butadiene

Conjugation

Multiple double bonds not in a ring

Molecules with more than one C=C double bond Benzene has three strongly interacting double bonds

The structure of ethene (ethylene, CH2=CH2)

Bisulfite addition compounds

Acid and base catalysis of hemiacetal and hydrate formation

Ketones also form hemiacetals

Hemiacetals from reaction of alcohols with aldehydes and ketones

Addition of water to aldehydes and ketones

Addition of organometallic reagents to aldehydes and ketones

Nucleophilic attack by ‘hydride’ on aldehydes and ketones