Amino group (the simplest form of amine)
- We draw an R connected to an NH2 group.
- This is also called a primary amine, because it is a nitrogen atom with a single R group attached.
-Amino groups are an important part of amino acid structure and participate in the formation of peptide bonds. Many neurotransmitters, including epinephrine, dopamine, serotonin and histamine are also amines.
-As a clinical correlate, many pharmaceutical drugs and illicit drugs are actually amines that interfere with natural neurotransmitters, such as ephedrine and amphetamine. In addition, amines can be relatively easily converted from one amine to another, and for this reason, Sudafed, which contains pseudoephedrine (one of the key components of the illicit drug "crystal meth") is now a regulated pharmaceutical.
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Amino Group (Primary Amine)
Amino Group
- Structure: an R connected to an NH2 group.
- This is also called a primary amine, because it is a nitrogen atom with a single R group attached.
- Amino groups are an important part of amino acid structure and participate in the formation of peptide bonds.
- Many neurotransmitters, including epinephrine, dopamine, serotonin and histamine are also amines.
- Many pharmaceutical drugs and illicit drugs are actually amines that interfere with natural neurotransmitters, such as ephedrine and amphetamine.
- In addition, amines can be relatively easily converted from one amine to another, and for this reason, Sudafed, which contains pseudoephedrine (one of the key components of the illicit drug "crystal meth") is now a regulated pharmaceutical.