A simple bond energy scheme featuring the net charges of the bond-forming a
toms is applied to alkylamines. The appropriate charge analyses are assiste
d by accurate correlations with C-13 and N-15 nuclear magnetic resonance sh
ifts. Intrinsic carbon-nitrogen bond energies were thus calculated and subs
equently used in the computation of the corresponding dissociation energies
, in good agreement with experiment. (A few examples are also given for the
C-N cleavage of nitroalkanes.) Enthalpy calculations are also presented. A
dditional applications, prospects and limitations are discussed. (C) 2000 E
lsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.