A trifluoroacetic acid derivatization combined with H-1 NMR spectroscopy method for determining the molar ratio of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines in small molecules and polymers was discussed. Amines reacted with trifluoroacetic acid to form their salts RNH3+, R2NH2+, and R3NH+. The H-1 NMR signals of these protonated amines (NH3+, NH2+, and NH+) were separated well in the spectra. Based on the integration of these protonated amine signals, the molar ratio of primary, secondary, and tertiary amines can be calculated. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.