Primary (chemistry)
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).[1]
| 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 | ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
See also
References
- ↑ McMurry, John (2023). Organic chemistry (10th ed.). Houston, Texas: OpenStax. pp. 83–84. ISBN 978-1-951693-98-5.
Category:

















