Abstract: Primary, secondary, and tertiary amines are oxidatively cleaved by aqueous bromine at pH 5-7. An alkyl group is removed and the amine with one less alkyl group is produced. Secondary alkyl groups appear as ketones. The fate of primary alkyl groups depends on the type of amine being oxidized. The propyl group appears as propionaldehyde from tripropylamine, as propionic and pyruvic acids from dipropylamine, ...
