Aminal

thumb|class=skin-invert-image|upright=0.5|Generic 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.

Physostigmin.svg|Physostigmine, a highly toxic cholinesterase inhibitor found in the Calabar bean.

Hodgkinsine.svg|Hodgkinsine, an alkaloid with antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal effects

5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolic acid.svg|5,10-Methylenetetrahydrofolate, an intermediate in one-carbon metabolism

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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. Imidazolidines are one class of these cyclic aminals.

See also

References