Quaternary (chemistry)
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Quaternary is a term used in organic chemistry to classify various types of compounds (e. g. amines and ammonium salts).[1]
| Red highlighted central atoms in various groups of chemical compounds. Quaternary central atoms compared with primary, secondary and tertiary central atoms. | ||||
| primary | secondary | tertiary | quaternary | |
| Carbon atom in an alkane |  |  |  |  |
| Alcohol |  |  |  | does not exist |
| Amine |  |  |  |  |
| Amide |  |  |  | does not exist |
| Phosphine |  |  |  |  |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Paula Yurkanis Bruice: Organic Chemistry, Pearson Education Inc., 2004, 4. Ed., p. 78, 104, 893, and 912, ISBN 0-13-121730-5.