The compound CH\(_3\)CH(NH\(_2\))CH\(_2\)CH\(_2\)CH\(_3\) is an example of a

Amines are classified based on the number of carbon-containing groups (alkyl or aryl groups) directly bonded to the nitrogen atom:

• Primary amine: nitrogen is bonded to one carbon group and two hydrogen atoms (R-NH₂).
• Secondary amine: nitrogen is bonded to two carbon groups and one hydrogen atom (R₂-NH).
• Tertiary amine: nitrogen is bonded to three carbon groups and no hydrogen atoms (R₃-N).

In CH₃CH(NH₂)CH₂CH₂CH₃, the nitrogen atom in the -NH₂ group is bonded to one carbon atom (the CH group in the chain) and two hydrogen atoms. This fits the definition of a primary amine.

The fact that the nitrogen is attached to a secondary carbon (a carbon bonded to two other carbons) does not change the amine classification. The classification depends only on how many carbons are bonded directly to nitrogen, not on the type of carbon.

Exam tip: Do not confuse amine classification (based on bonds to nitrogen) with alcohol classification (based on the type of carbon bearing the -OH group). A primary amine simply means nitrogen has one C-N bond.