Aminal

In organic chemistry, an aminal or aminoacetal is a functional group or type of organic compound that has two amine groups attached to the same carbon atom: . (As is customary in organic chemistry, R can represent hydrogen or an alkyl group). A common aminal is bis(dimethylamino)methane, a colorless liquid that is prepared by the reaction of dimethylamine and formaldehyde:

Aminals are encountered in, for instance, the Fischer indole synthesis. Several examples exist in nature.

Hexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (), an intermediate in the condensation of formaldehyde and ammonia, tends to degrade to hexamethylene tetraamine.

Cyclic aminals can be obtained by the condensation of a diamine and an aldehyde.Hiersemann, M. "Functions bearing two nitrogens" in Comprehensive Organic Functional Group Transformations II 2005, volume 4, 411-441. Edited by Katritzky, Alan R.; Taylor, Richard J. K. Imidazolidines are one class of these cyclic aminals.

See also Acetal Hemiaminal

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