To classify primary, secondary, and tertiary amines that contain the same number of carbon atoms, we can follow these steps:
### Step-by-Step Solution:
1. **Define Amines**:
- Amines are organic compounds derived from ammonia (NH₃) by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms with alkyl or aryl groups. They are classified into three categories: primary (1°), secondary (2°), and tertiary (3°) amines based on the number of carbon-containing groups attached to the nitrogen atom.
2. **Identify the Structure of Each Type of Amine**:
- **Primary Amine (1°)**: Contains one alkyl group attached to the nitrogen. For example, if we take propane (C₃H₈) and replace one hydrogen with an amine group, we get propylamine (C₃H₇NH₂).
- **Secondary Amine (2°)**: Contains two alkyl groups attached to the nitrogen. For example, if we take ethylamine (C₂H₅NH₂) and replace one hydrogen with a methyl group, we get N-methyl ethylamine (C₂H₅NH(CH₃)).
- **Tertiary Amine (3°)**: Contains three alkyl groups attached to the nitrogen. For example, if we take dimethylamine (C₂H₆N) where two methyl groups are attached to nitrogen, we get N,N-dimethylamine (C₂H₆N).
3. **Count the Number of Carbon Atoms**:
- All three types of amines can be constructed to have the same number of carbon atoms. For instance, a primary amine with 3 carbons, a secondary amine with 3 carbons, and a tertiary amine with 3 carbons can all exist.
4. **Classify the Isomers**:
- Since primary, secondary, and tertiary amines have different connectivity and functional groups despite having the same number of carbon atoms, they can be classified as **functional isomers**. This is because they represent different functional groups (amine types) based on the number of carbon atoms attached to the nitrogen.
5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, primary, secondary, and tertiary amines with the same number of carbon atoms can be correctly classified as **functional isomers**.
