In this investigation, the differences in the absorption spectra of etheram
ines, fatty amines and condensates, mostly present as acetates, from severa
l suppliers are characterized by means of infrared spectrometry. Sharp diff
erences were observed in the absorption spectra of three types of amines an
d derivatives. Etheramines show a characteristic and well-defined peak at 1
,114 cm(-1). This peak is due to the ether C-O group and differentiates eth
eramines from the other classes. The absence of such a peak indicates that
the species is not an etheramine. The distinction between condensates and f
atty amines is made by the presence of a sharppeak around 3,200 cm(-1). Thi
s peak is probably due to the proximity of the N-H amine groups and C=O car
bonyl groups in the amide portion. of the condensate's molecule and by diff
erent and better-defined bands in the 1,800- to 1,500-cm(-1) range. The flo
tation performance of these amines was evaluated by means of the laboratory
-scale flotation of an itabirite ore. The etheramines proved to be the most
effective collectors for this system. Monoamines presented better performa
nce than diamines for the ore under investigation.