How many of the following amines are mixed amines?
(CH3)2NH, CH3NHCH2CH2CH3, (C2H5)3N, C2H5N(CH3)2, C6H5NHCH3, (C2H5)2NH, C6H5N(CH3)2
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → 4
A secondary or tertiary amine is simple when all the alkyl or aryl groups on nitrogen are the same, and mixed when they are different. Look only at the groups attached to the nitrogen atom.
Mixed amines:
\( \ce{CH3NHCH2CH2CH3} \) (methyl and propyl)
\( \ce{C2H5N(CH3)2} \) (ethyl and two methyl)
\( \ce{C6H5NHCH3} \) (phenyl and methyl)
\( \ce{C6H5N(CH3)2} \) (phenyl and two methyl)
Simple amines:
\( \ce{(CH3)2NH} \) — two methyl groups, the same.
\( \ce{(C2H5)3N} \) — three ethyl groups, the same.
\( \ce{(C2H5)2NH} \) — two ethyl groups, the same.
Mixed amines: 4.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
9.2 Classification – “…Amines are said to be ‘simple’ when all the alkyl or aryl groups are the same, and ‘mixed’ when they are different.”