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Primary, Secondary & Tertiary atoms (DP IB Chemistry: SL)

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Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Atoms

Alcohols and halogenoalkanes

  • Primary alcohols and halogenoalkanes are those in which the carbon atom bonded to the  functional group is attached to one other carbon atom (or alkyl group)
  • In secondary alcohols and halogenoalkanes the functional group carbon atom is attached to two other carbon atoms (or alkyl groups)
  • In tertiary alcohols and halogenoalkanes the functional group carbon atom is attached to three other carbon atoms (or alkyl groups)

Hydroxy Compounds Classifying Alcohols, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Classifying primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols and alcohols with more than one alcohol group

Amines

  • Amines follow a slightly different classification system, although the terms primary, secondary and tertiary are still used
  • The classification is based on the number of alkyl groups attached to the nitrogen in the amine
  • Primary amines are those in which the nitrogen is attached to one other carbon atom (or alkyl group)
  • In secondary amines the nitrogen atom is attached to two other carbon atoms (or alkyl groups)
  • In tertiary amines the nitrogen is attached to three other carbon atoms (or alkyl groups)

Primary, secondary and tertiary Amines

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Stewart

Author: Stewart

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Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Exam Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.