Quaternary (chemistry)
# Quaternary (chemistry)

Quaternary is a term used in organic chemistry to classify various types of compounds (e. g. amines and ammonium salts).

| | Red highlighted central atoms in various groups of chemical compounds. Quaternary central atoms compared with primary, secondary and tertiary central atoms. | Red highlighted central atoms in various groups of chemical compounds. Quaternary central atoms compared with primary, secondary and tertiary central atoms. | Red highlighted central atoms in various groups of chemical compounds. Quaternary central atoms compared with primary, secondary and tertiary central atoms. | Red highlighted central atoms in various groups of chemical compounds. Quaternary central atoms compared with primary, secondary and tertiary central atoms. |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | primary | secondary | tertiary | quaternary |
| Carbon atom in an alkane | | | | |
| Alcohol | | | | does not exist |
| Amine | | | | |
| Amide | | | | does not exist |
| Phosphine | | | | |
