Aminomethyl group

In organic chemistry, an aminomethyl group is a monovalent functional group with formula −CH₂−NH₂. It can be described as a methyl group substituted by an amino group −NH₂.

Related compounds

Usually aminomethyl groups feature tertiary amines. Often they are obtained by alkylation with Eschenmoser's salt, a source of [CH₂=N(CH₃)₂]⁺.

A cobalt(III) complex of aminomethyl is known in the form [Co(bipyridine)₂(CH₂NH₂)](ClO4)₂.^[1]

Aminomethyl is the first member of a series of 1-aminoalkyl groups of the form −(CH₂−)_nNH₂.^[2]

Aminomethyl is used in the standard (IUPAC) names of some compounds,^[3] such as 4-(aminomethyl) benzoic acid.