What is Acetamide?
Acetamide is a chemical molecule having the formula CH3CONH2. It is the most simple amide formed from acetic acid. It has certain applications as a plasticizer and industrial solvent. N,N-Dimethylacetamide (DMA) is more often used than acetamide, however, it is not derived from acetamide. Between acetone, which contains two methyls (CH3) groups on either side of the carbonyl (CO), and urea, which has two amides (NH2) groups in those positions, acetamide can be considered an intermediate.
Additionally, acetamide is a naturally occurring mineral. Acetamide is also known as the amide of acetic acid, ethanamide, and acetamide acid. Ethanamide is obtained as a solid that is hygroscopic, odorless, and colorless. The compound dissolves easily in a variety of solvents, including water, chloroform, hot benzene, glycerol, and even ether to a lesser extent. It belongs to the class of acetamides produced by the formal condensation of acetic acid (CH3COOH) with ammonia (NH3). It occurs naturally in beetroots.
Structure of Acetamide – CH3CONH2
Properties of Acetamide –CH3CONH2
| C2H5NO | Acetamide |
| Molecular weight/molar mass of C2H5NO | 59.068 g/mol |
| Density of Acetamide | 1.159 g/cm3 |
| Boiling Point of Acetamide | 221.2 °C |
| Melting Point of Acetamide | 79 to 81 °C |
Acetamide Molecular Formula
C2H5NO or CH3CONH2
Production of Acetamide-CH3CONH2
Laboratory scale
Ammonium acetate can be dehydrated in the laboratory to create acetamide. Reaction is follows
[NH4][CH3CO2] → CH3C(O)NH2 + H2O
Alternately, good yields of acetamide can be produced through ammonolysis of acetylacetone under circumstances typical of reductive amination.
In addition to acetyl chloride, it can also be produced from anhydrous acetic acid, acetonitrile, and very well-dried hydrogen chloride gas in an ice bath. Typically, the yield is modest (up to 35%), and the acetamide produced is a salt with Hydrochloric Acid (HCl).
Industrial scale
Acetamide is made by dehydrating ammonium acetate or by hydrating acetonitrile
CH3CN + H2O → CH3C(O)NH2
Chemical Properties of Acetamide
Depending on its purity, acetamide is a hygroscopic solid that is colorless and has a musky odor. Additionally, it has a bitter flavor. In addition, it belongs to the class of acetamides, which emerge from the formal condensation of acetic acid (CH3COOH) with ammonia (NH3). Notably, the carbonyl, amino, and methyl groups share electrons to form acetamide.
Uses of Acetamide-CH3CONH2
Many inorganic and organic compounds used acetamide as a solvent.
- Used in explosives.
- Used as a plasticizer.
- Used as a hygroscopic agent.
- Used to manufacture methylamine.
- Used as a stabilizer.
- Used as a penetrating agent.
- Used as a fire suppressant.
Occurrence of Acetamide
In general, acetamide is produced in waste coal piles at temperatures between 50 and 150 °C (122 and 302 °F). Furthermore, it only emerges during dry weather conditions.
In addition, astronomers have found its presence near the Milky Way’s galactic core. Because acetamide has an amide bond, similar to the crucial connection between amino acids in proteins, this discovery may be relevant.
This study supports the hypothesis that organic compounds that can lead to life (as we know it) can originate in space.
Acetamide crystal structure
Frequently Asked Questions – Faq
Q.1 What is acetamide used for?
Acetamide is a chemical molecule having the formula CH3CONH2. This is the simplest amide derived from acetic acid. As a co-monomer, acetamide is utilized in the production of polymeric products such as polyvinyl acetamide, a polymeric absorbent.
Q.2 Why is acetamide water-soluble?
The main amide is produced from NH2, with the amino group substituting the hydroxyl group of the carboxylic acid. A case in point is acetamide (acetic acid + amide). The production of hydrogen bonding produces water-soluble amides with a low molecular weight.
Q.3 What does acetamide smell like?
As a chemical produced from acetic acid, acetamide has been reported as smelling like vinegar or ammonia. It will adhere to locations where the musculus sleeps and forages for food.
Q.4 Is acetamide soluble in HCl?
Since ammonia and acetamide are comprised of smaller molecules, they are soluble in water and HCl. Triethylamine, aniline, and N, N-dimethylaniline are not known to be soluble in water or HCl, however, they are soluble in MTBE. Ammonia and acetamide are insoluble in MTBE.
Q.5 What is acetamide’s common name?
ethanamide
Ethanamide (chemical name: acetamide) is a substance with the formula CH3CONH2. It is the most straightforward amide formed from acetic acid. It has certain applications as a plasticizer and industrial solvent.
