Amine and Amide Nomenclature
Amine Nomenclature
Amines are organic compounds derived from ammonia (NH3) by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms with alkyl or aryl groups. Nomenclature follows these rules:
- Simple Amines: For simple amines, name the alkyl or aryl group(s) attached to the nitrogen atom followed by "-amine". For example: methylamine (CH3NH2), dimethylamine ((CH3)2NH), trimethylamine ((CH3)3N).
- Complex Amines: For more complex amines, consider the longest carbon chain containing the nitrogen atom as the parent chain. Number the chain to give the nitrogen atom the lowest possible number. Name the alkyl or aryl groups attached to the nitrogen as substituents using the prefix "N-". For example: N-methylpropan-1-amine.
- Amines as Substituents: When the amine group is a substituent on a larger molecule, it is named as an "amino" group. The position of the amino group is indicated by a number. For example: 2-aminopropane.
Amide Nomenclature
Amides are derivatives of carboxylic acids where the hydroxyl (-OH) group is replaced by an amino (-NH2) or substituted amino group. Nomenclature follows these rules:
- Simple Amides: Drop the "-oic acid" ending from the parent carboxylic acid name and add "-amide". For example: ethanoic acid becomes ethanamide.
- Substituted Amides: If the nitrogen atom has substituents, name these substituents as N-alkyl or N,N-dialkyl prefixes. For example: N-methylethanamide, N,N-dimethylethanamide.
- Cyclic Amides (Lactams): Cyclic amides are called lactams. The ring size is indicated by a Greek letter (e.g., β-lactam, γ-lactam).
Examples:
- CH3CONH2: Ethanamide
- CH3CH2CONHCH3: N-Methylpropanamide
- (CH3)2CHCON(CH3)2: N,N-Dimethylpropanamide