Acetamide

Acetamide

Names
IUPAC name Acetamide
Systematic IUPAC name Ethanamide
Properties
Chemical formula	C2H5NO
Molar mass	59.068 g/mol
Appearance	Colorless solid
Odor	Odorless (pure) "Mouse"-like (impure)
Density	1.159 g/cm3 (20 °C)
Melting point	81.16 °C (178.09 °F; 354.31 K)
Boiling point	221.2 °C (430.2 °F; 494.3 K) (decomposes)
Solubility in water	200 g/100 ml
Solubility	Soluble in benzene, chloroform, ethanol, glycerol, methanol, pyridine Slightly soluble in diethyl ether, toluene
Solubility in ethanol	50 g/100 ml
Solubility in pyridine	16.6 g/100 ml
Vapor pressure	0.0182 mmHg at 25 °C
Hazards
Safety data sheet	Sigma-Aldrich
Flash point	126 °C (259 °F; 399 K)
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (Median dose)	7,000 mg/kg (rat, oral)
Related compounds
Related compounds	Formamide
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Acetamide or ethanamide is an organic compound with the formula CH₃CONH₂. It is the simplest amide derived from acetic acid.

Properties

Chemical

Dehydration of acetamide in the presence of catalyst yields acetonitrile.

Physical

Acetamide is a colorless solid, very soluble in water.

Availability

It is sold by chemical suppliers.

Preparation

Acetamide can be produced in the laboratory by dehydrating ammonium acetate.

Ammonolysis of ethyl acetate is also another route.

Alternatively acetamide can be obtained in excellent yield via ammonolysis of acetylacetone under conditions commonly used in reductive amination.

Projects

• Make acetonitrile

Handling

Safety

Acetamide doesn't appear to be very toxic.

Storage

In closed bottles.

Disposal

Can be neutralized with a strong oxidizing mixture.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads

• Acetamide Synthesis
• Acetamide synthesis