Question

How are amines classified depending on the functional group? Give one example of each class of amines.

Answer 1

Classification of amines:

1. Amines are classified as primary (1°), secondary (2°) and tertiary (3°) amines.
2. Their structures are obtained in a simple way by replacing one, two, or three hydrogen atoms of NH₃ molecule by alkyl/aryl groups.
3. The functional group present in primary amines is referred to as an amino group (–NH₂).
   e.g. Ethylamine [C₂H₅ – NH₂]
4. The functional group present in secondary amines is referred to as the imino group (>NH).
   e.g. Dimethylamine [(CH₃)₂NH]
5. The functional group present in tertiary amines is tertiary nitrogen represented as:
   
   e.g. Trimethylamine [(CH₃)₃N]