Imines are related to ketones and aldehydes by replacement of the oxygen with an NR group. When R = H, the compound is a primary imine, when R is hydrocarbyl, the compound is a secondary imine. Imines exhibit diverse reactivity and are commonly encountered throughout chemistry.

How are imines formed?

Imines are the nitrogen analogues of aldehydes and ketones, containing a C=N bond instead of a C=O. bond. They are formed through the dehydration reaction of an aldehyde or ketone with an amine. Imines derived from aldehydes are sometimes called aldimines, imines derived from ketones are sometimes called ketimines.

What is an imine group?

Imine (Schiff base): A functional group having a carbon-nitrogen double bond (C=N), or a molecule containing this functional group.