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Basic IUPAC Organic Nomenclature

Diamines  (or polyamines)

The term diamine simply implies the presence of two amines. Polyamines contain two or more amine groups.
  • Functional group is an amine, therefore suffix = -amine
  • There are two amines, so insert the multiplier di
  • The longest continuous chain is C2 therefore root = eth
  • Locants for -NH units are 1- and 2-
1,2-ethyldiamine
or
ethyl-1,2-diamine


diamine

H2NCH2CH2NH2

  • Functional group is an amine, therefore suffix = -amine
  • There are two amines, so insert the multiplier di
  • The longest continuous chain is C3 therefore root = prop
  • Locants for -NH units are 1- and 3-
  • There is a C1 substituent = methyl
  • The methyl group is located on the amine, so locant = N
N-methyl-1,3-propyldiamine
or
N-methylpropyl-1,3-diamine
diamine

H2NCH2CH2CH2NHCH3

  • Functional group is an amine, therefore suffix = -amine
  • There are two amines, so insert the multiplier di
  • The longest continuous chain is C2 therefore root = eth
  • Locants for -NH units are 1- and 2-
  • There is are three C1 substituents = trimethyl
  • The methyl groups are located different amines, so locants = N-, N- and N'-
N,N,N'-trimethyl-1,2-ethyldiamine
or
N,N,N'-trimethylethyl-1,2-diamine
diamine
(CH3)2NCH2CH2NHCH3


organic chemistry ©Dr. Ian Hunt, Department of Chemistry University of Calgary