A primary diamine that is ethane or a higher alkane in which a hydrogen of each of the terminal methyl groups has been replaced by an amino group. H2NCH2(CH2)nCH2NH2, where n = 0, 1, 2, etc.
| Member | Definition | Role |
|---|
| 1,12-dodecamethylenediamine | An alkane-alpha,omega-diamine that is dodecane substituted by amino groups at positions 1 and 12. | dodecane-1,12-diamine |
| 1,6-diaminohexane | A C6 alkane-alpha,omega-diamine. | hexane-1,6-diamine |
| cadaverine | An alkane-alpha,omega-diamine comprising a straight-chain pentane core with amino substitutents at positions 1 and 5. A colourless syrupy liquid diamine with a distinctive unpleasant odour, it is a homologue of putresceine and is formed by the bacterial decarboxylation of lysine that occurs during protein hydrolysis during putrefaction of animal tissue. It is also found in plants such as soyabean. | cadaverine |
| ethylenediamine | An alkane-alpha,omega-diamine in which the alkane is ethane. | ethylenediamine |
| octamethylenediamine | An alkane-alpha,omega-diamine in which the two amino groups are separated by eight methylene groups. | 1,8-diaminooctane |
| putrescine | A four-carbon alkane-alpha,omega-diamine. It is obtained by the breakdown of amino acids and is responsible for the foul odour of putrefying flesh. | putrescine |
| trimethylenediamine | An alkane-alpha,omega-diamine comprising a propane skeleton with amino substituents at positions 1 and 3. | trimethylenediamine |