Question

What is the difference between primary and secondary amines?

Answer 1

`"Primary, secondary, tertiary"` refers to the degree of hydrocarbyl substitution on the ammonia molecule.

Explanation:

Ammonia is `NH_3`. A primary, `1""^@`, amine is `RNH_2`, that is it has one hydrocarbyl substituent on nitrogen. A secondary, `2""^@`, amine is `R_2NH`, and a tertiary, `3""^@`, amine is `R_3N`. A quaternary ammonium salt is `R_4N^+`.