A Schiff base, named after Hugo Schiff, is a compound with the general structure R₂C=NR' (R' ≠ H). They can be considered a sub-class of imines, being either secondary ketimines or secondary aldimines depending on their structure. The term is often synonymous with azomethine which refers specifically to secondary aldimines (i.e. R-CH=NR' where R' ≠ H).