Reactions with ketones and aldehydes

Primary amines react with carbonyl compounds to form imines. Specifically, aldehydes become aldimines, and ketones become ketimines. In the case of formaldehyde (R’ = H), the imine products are typically cyclic trimers.

RNH₂ + R’₂C=O → R’₂C=NR + H₂O

Secondary amines react with ketones and aldehydes to form enamines. An enamine contains a C=C double bond, where the second C is singly bonded to N as part of an amine ligand.

R₂NH + R'(R”CH₂)C=O → R”CH=C(NR₂)R’ + H₂O