Ammonium Salt

[aliss4]

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Destroyer # 7 (2010):
The answer says an ammonium salt ( in this case, NR3H+) is a 4 amine instead of tertiary or secondary. I don't get it; nitrogen has three alkyl groups connected to it, doesn't that make it a tertiary amine?

what about NH4+? Is that a 4 amine too?

 

[rockclock]

Destroyer # 7 (2010):
The answer says an ammonium salt ( in this case, NR3H+) is a 4 amine instead of tertiary or secondary. I don't get it; nitrogen has three alkyl groups connected to it, doesn't that make it a tertiary amine?

what about NH4+? Is that a 4 amine too?

you're right that 1*, 2*, 3* amines are named based on the number of alkyl groups attached. technically, NR3H+ is a protonated 3* amine (aka a 3* ammonium cation). NH4+ is "0*" for consistency...but it basically goes by nothing other than "ammonium cat/ion".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaternary_ammonium_cation

 

[Golfguy]

you're right that 1*, 2*, 3* amines are named based on the number of alkyl groups attached. technically, NR3H+ is a protonated 3* amine (aka a 3* ammonium cation). NH4+ is "0*" for consistency...but it basically goes by nothing other than "ammonium cat/ion".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaternary_ammonium_cation

👍

 

[aliss4]

thanks🙂