Ion/molecule reactions in mixtures of ethyl chloride with CI-C4 alkylamines were studied by ICR mass spectrometry. Ethyl cation transfer to CI-C4 alkylamines proceeds mainly through diethylchloronium ions with rate constants -3 x lo-'' cm3 s -' . In the case of s-butylamine the corresponding rate constant is 0.5 X lo-'' cm3 s-'.