Nomenclature
Amines are derivatives of ammonia in which one or more of the hydrogens has been replaced by an alkyl or aryl group. The nomenclature of amines is complicated by the fact that several different nomenclature systems exist, and there is no clear preference for one over the others.
Furthermore, the terms primary (1º), secondary (2º) & tertiary (3º) are used to classify amines in a completely different manner than they were used for alcohols or alkyl halides. When applied to amines these terms refer to the number of alkyl (or aryl) substituents bonded to the nitrogen atom, whereas in other cases they refer to the nature of an alkyl group.
1. primary amines R-NH2
Primary amines can be named by replacing the -e of the parent group with the word amine. The �NH2 group can also be named as a substituent using the group name, amino. An amine can also be named by naming the parent group followed by a space and the word amine.
2. Secondary amines
Secondary amines have two alkyl groups attached to the N.
The root name is based on the longest chain with the -NH attached.
The chain is numbered so as to give the amine unit the lowest possible number.
CH3NHCH2CH3
Tertiary amines
Tertiary amines have three alkyl group attached to the N.
The root name is based on the longest chain with the -N attached.
The chain is numbered so as to give the amine unit the lowest possible number.
The other alkyl groups are treated as substituents, with N as the locant.
(CH3)3N