There is only one alkyl group attached to the nitrogen atom, so the amine is primary. A group of three carbon atoms (a propyl group) is attached to the NH2 group through an end carbon atom, so the name is propylamine. There are two methyl groups and one ethyl group on the nitrogen atom.
What makes an amine primary?
Amine Structure
Amines that have one of their three hydrogen atoms replaced by an alkyl or aromatic substituent are referred to as primary amines. ... The general structure of an amine contains a nitrogen atom, a lone pair of electrons, and three substituents.
Why are primary amines Basic?
Why are primary amines basic? All of the compounds we are concerned with are derived from ammonia and so we'll start by looking at the reason for its basic properties. ... Because the ammonia is only a weak base, it doesn't hang on to the extra hydrogen ion very effectively and so the reaction is reversible.
