Quaternary (chemistry)

This article is about general bonding patterns. For the arrangement of multiple molecules in a protein and nucleic acid complex, see quaternary structure.

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.
	primary	secondary	tertiary	quaternary
Carbon atom in an alkane
Alcohol				does not exist
Amine
Amide				does not exist
Phosphine

See also

• Primary (chemistry)
• Secondary (chemistry)
• Tertiary (chemistry)