Amine

Ammonia

Amines are structures resembling ammonia, where one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by alkyl groups:

Primary Amine:

Secondary Amine:

Tertiary Amine:

Naming:

Lower amines are named with the suffix -amine. Methylamine

Higher have the prefix amino as a functional group. 2-amino-pentane

Properties:

Like ammonia, amines have basic properties, and they react with halogenoalkanes to form longer chains, with the release of a halogen acid. Amines react with carboxylic acids (or similar derivatives such as acyl chlorides) to form amides. The volatile amines have strong unpleasant smells.