Amines

• There are three organic nitrogen families that you need to know:?amines, amides?and?nitriles
• Amine?is the name given to compounds containing the functional group?amino, -NH₂
• Amines?are derived from ammonia where one H in ammonia (NH₃)has been replaced by an R (alkyl) group
• The general formula of an amine is?C_nH_2n+1NH₂?which can be shortened to just?RNH₂
• The nomenclature of an amine follows the pattern?alkyl + amine?or?amino + alkane
  • E.g. propylamine or aminopropane

Amides

• Amide?is the name given to compounds containing the functional group?carboxamide, -CONH₂
• Amides?are a combination of?amino?and?carbonyl?groups
• The general formula of an?amide?is?C_nH_2n+1CONH₂?which can be shortened to just?RCONH₂
• The nomenclature of an amide follows the pattern?alkan + amide

Nitriles

• Nitriles?are compounds containing the functional group?nitrile, -CN
• This is the same?CN?group that is called a?cyanide?group as an ion, just as hydroxyl group,?OH?is called?hydroxide?in inorganic chemistry
• The general formula of an?nitrile?is?C_nH_2n+1CN?which can be shortened to just?RCN
• The nomenclature of a?nitrile?follows the pattern?alkane + nitrile?(some people leave out the 'e' on the alkane)
  • E.g ethanenitrile or ethannitrile

Organic Nitrogen Compounds Examples