naming of amines

[Andy Lechuga 2C]

Quick question about confusion with naming amines. Why do you put an N before the name of the amine compound? Is it only for amine compounds? ex. N,N-Dimethylmethanamine

[Manali Ghadiali 1E]

The N is used when naming a secondary or tertiary amine, meaning there are two or three alkyl groups respectively attached to the N. When there is a secondary or tertiary amine, N indicates the alkyl group bonded to the N. N,N dimethylmethanamine for example demonstrates (CH₃)₃N. Since there are three alkyl groups, the root is determined by the longest carbon chain, but in this case all of them are one, indicating a methyl group. Therefore it is named N,N-dimethylmethanamine.