2amino2methylpropane

2-amino-2-methylpropane, also known as tert-butylamine, is a primary amine with the chemical formula C4H11N. It is a colorless liquid at room temperature with a characteristic ammonia-like odor. This compound is a structural isomer of other butylamines, differing in the placement of the amino group and the branching of the carbon chain. Its structure features a central carbon atom bonded to three methyl groups and an amino group, giving it a bulky tertiary alkyl group.

Tert-butylamine is soluble in water and many organic solvents. It is a moderately strong base due to the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom. Its reactivity is typical of primary amines, participating in reactions such as acylation, alkylation, and Schiff base formation. The steric hindrance around the nitrogen atom due to the tert-butyl group can influence its reaction rates and pathways compared to less branched primary amines.

Industrially, tert-butylamine is used as an intermediate in the synthesis of various chemicals. These include pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and rubber vulcanization accelerators. It can also be employed as a solvent or as a reagent in organic synthesis. Due to its basic properties, it is sometimes used as a pH adjuster.