IUPAC system and IUPAC rules of naming of amines

Aliphatic amines are named by adding the suffix amine to the name of the alkyl group and it is written as one word. E.g., C₂H₅NH₂ is Ethylamine. When two or more alkyl groups in secondary or tertiary amines are some, the prefix di or tri is used. For e.g., (C₂H₅)₂ NH is diethylamine.

In the case of mixed amines, the names of alkyl groups are arranged in alphabetical order. The amines are named as N-substituted derivatives of the largest group of primary amine.

Example:

(C₂H₅)₂NCH₂CH₂CH₂CH₃ - N, N - diethyl butylamine

In the IUPAC system the amines are considered to be amino derivatives of corresponding alkanes. Therefore, they are called aminoalkanes or alkanamines. These names are obtained either by adding a prefix amino before the name of parent alkane or by replacing 'e' from the name of the parent alkene with suffix amine.

Examples:

In case of diamines the ending e of the hydrocarbon name is retained and the suffix diamine is added H₂N-(CH₂)₅-NH₂ is 1,5 - Pentanediamine.

When additional functional groups such as -OH or double bond are present in an amine, the prevailing priority order for nomenclature is observed.

H₂N CH₂ CH₂ OH 2 - amino ethanol

H₂N CH₂ CH = CH₂ is 2 - propen1 - amine