MBMB 451b

Copyright 2000, E.C. Niederhoffer

Imine (Schiff base) Formation

One mechanism used by enzymes to catalyze reactions between organic molecules occurs through the formation of imines (Schiff bases).

The reaction of an amine with either an aldehyde or ketone proceeds through the intermediate formation of a carbinolamine.

The following animated gif illustrates this process.

Please observe the changes that occur as the starting amine and carbonyl molecules are transformed to the resulting imine molecule.

 

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