Amines are compounds that contain a nitrogen atom singly bonded to one or more alkyl groups. They are designated as primary, secondary, or tertiary by how many R groups are bonded to the nitrogen.
An amine is an organic compound that is a derivative of ammonia (NH3), where one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by alkyl or aryl units (R), forming N−R single bonds. Amines are classified as primary, secondary, tertiary, or quaternary. A primary amine is an organic compound that is a derivative of ammonia (NH3), where an alkyl or aryl unit (R) replaces one hydrogen atom, forming an N−R single bond. A secondary amine is an organic compound that is a derivative of ammonia (NH3), where alkyl or aryl units (R) replace two hydrogen atoms, forming N−R single bonds. A tertiary amine is an organic compound that is a derivative of ammonia (NH3), where alkyl or aryl units (R) replace three hydrogen atoms, forming N−R single bonds. A quaternary amine is an organic compound that is a derivative of ammonia (NH3), where alkyl or aryl units (R) replace three hydrogen atoms and the lone pair of electrons. An ammonium cation is a cation with the chemical formula NH4+ that is formed from the protonation of ammonia (NH3).
Types of Amines
The categorization of primary, secondary, and tertiary for amines is different than for alcohols. For amines, primary, secondary, and tertiary are denoted by the number of hydrogen atoms that are replaced in an ammonia molecule with an R group.
In IUPAC nomenclature, primary amines are named by replacing the -ane of the alkyl group with -anamine, which is preceded by a number to identify the location. Secondary amines are named based on the longer of the two groups attached to the nitrogen. The smaller group is preceded by an N-. Tertiary amines are named similarly, with the two smaller groups both preceded by N-. If a higher-priority group is in the structure, the amine is named as a substituent with a number indicating its location and given the name amino.
IUPAC Naming of Amines
IUPAC naming for amines is dependent upon the type of amine.
Amines are used extensively in medicine, such as ephedrine, and have plenty of uses in biochemistry and industrial processes, such as making dyes.
Structure of Ephedrine
Ephedrine is a drug used to prevent low blood pressure when patients are under spinal anesthesia.
Metabolic Pathway of Amphetamine
Amphetamine is a primary amine that undergoes three different metabolic pathways in the body. Two paths result in another primary amine. One path can result in a secondary amide.
