Primary (chemistry)

This article is about general bonding patterns. For the sequence and cross-linking of proteins and nucleic acids, see primary structure.

Primary is a term used in organic chemistry to classify various types of compounds (e.g. alcohols, alkyl halides, amines) or reactive intermediates (e.g. alkyl radicals, carbocations).

	Red highlighted central atoms in various groups of chemical compounds. Primary central atoms compared with secondary, tertiary and quaternary central atoms.
	primary	secondary	tertiary	quaternary
Carbon atom in an alkane
Alcohol				does not exist
Amine
Amide				does not exist
Phosphine

See also

• Secondary (chemistry)
• Tertiary (chemistry)
• Quaternary (chemistry)