TYPES OF CARBON ATOMS

Different carbon atoms can be identified with respect to the number of

carbon neighbors:

Primary carbon atom: one carbon neighbor

CH3 CH3

Secondary carbon atom: two carbon neighbors

CH3

CH2 - CH3

Tertiary carbon atom: three carbon neighbors

CH3
|
CH3 CH CH3

Quaternary carbon atom: four carbon neighbors

CH3
|
CH3 C CH3
|
CH3