Primary (chemistry)
Term in organic chemistry used to describe degree of substitution of an atom in a molecule / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about general bonding patterns. For the sequence and cross-linking of proteins and nucleic acids, see primary structure.
Primary is a term used in organic chemistry to classify various types of compounds (e.g. alcohols, alkyl halides, amines) or reactive intermediates (e.g. alkyl radicals, carbocations).
Red highlighted central atoms in various groups of chemical compounds. Primary central atoms compared with secondary, tertiary and quaternary central atoms. | ||||
primary | secondary | tertiary | quaternary | |
Carbon atom in an alkane | ||||
Alcohol | does not exist | |||
Amine | ||||
Amide | does not exist | |||
Phosphine |