Amide Definition and Examples in Chemistry

What Is an Amide?

This is the general chemical structure of an amide.
This is the general chemical structure of an amide. Todd Helmenstine
By
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
Chemistry Expert
  • Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
  • B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College
Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels.
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Updated on December 04, 2019

An amide is a functional group containing a carbonyl group linked to a nitrogen atom or any compound containing the amide functional group. Amides are derived from carboxylic acid and an amine. Amide is also the name for the inorganic anion NH2. It is the conjugate base of ammonia (NH3).

Key Takeaways: What Is an Amide?

  • An amide is an organic functional group with a carbonyl bonded to a nitrogen or any compound containing this functional group.
  • Examples of amides include nylon, paracetamol, and dimethylformamide.
  • The simplest amides are derivatives of ammonia. In general, amides are very weak bases.

Examples of Amides

Examples of amides include carboxamides, sulfonamides, and phosphoramides. Nylon is a polyamide. Several drugs are amides, including LCD, penicillin, and paracetamol.

Uses of Amides

Amides may be used to form resilient structural materials (e.g., nylon, Kevlar). Dimethylformamide is an important organic solvent. Plants produce amides for a variety of functions. Amides are found in many drugs.

Sources

  • March, Jerry (2013). Advanced Organic Chemistry, Reactions, Mechanisms and Structure (7th ed.). Wiley. ISBN 978-0470462591.
  • Monson, Richard (1971). Advanced Organic Synthesis: Methods and Techniques. Academic Press. ISBN 978-0124336803.
  • Montalbetti, Christian A. G. N.; Falque, Virginie (2005). "Amide bond formation and peptide coupling". Tetrahedron. 61 (46): 10827–10852. doi:10.1016/j.tet.2005.08.031
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Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Amide Definition and Examples in Chemistry." ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/definition-of-amide-604772. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2021, February 16). Amide Definition and Examples in Chemistry. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-amide-604772 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Amide Definition and Examples in Chemistry." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-amide-604772 (accessed May 30, 2023).