Nheteroatom
An N-heteroatom is a nitrogen-containing heteroatom in organic chemistry. The term is used to denote a non-carbon element whose inclusion in a hydrocarbon framework typically alters reactivity and physical properties. Nitrogen is the most common N-heteroatom, appearing in functional groups such as amines (R-NH2, R2NH, R3N), amides, imines, nitriles, and in heterocyclic rings such as pyridine, imidazole, and quinoline. The presence of nitrogen can introduce basicity, hydrogen-bonding capability, and electron-rich character, affecting acidity (pKa) and polarity, as well as coordinating ability in catalysis.
In heterocycles, nitrogen atoms perturb aromaticity and often act as hydrogen-bond acceptors or donors, enabling selective
Applications span medicinal chemistry, where nitrogen-containing rings are among the most common drug motifs; catalysis, notably
Analytical considerations include determining nitrogen content and connectivity, as well as assessing basicity and pKa. Environmental