Tertiary amine (R3N)

Definition

A tertiary amine is an organic compound where nitrogen is bonded to three alkyl or aryl groups. In this structure, nitrogen does not have any hydrogen atoms directly attached to it.

Related terms

Primary Amine:

An organic compound where nitrogen is bonded to one alkyl or aryl group and two hydrogen atoms.

Secondary Amine:

An organic compound where nitrogen is bonded to two alkyl or aryl groups and one hydrogen atom.

Quaternary Ammonium Salt: A positively charged ion (cation) formed when a tertiary amine gains an additional alkyl group on the nitrogen atom, resulting in four organic groups attached to the nitrogen with no hydrogen atoms