Acetamide

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Acetamide

Acetamide
Ethanamide

C₂H₅NO

59.07 g/mol

[60-35-5]

1.16 g/cm³

Solubility in Water

200 g/100 ml

Melting point

81 °C

Boiling point

222 °C

SMILES

CC(=O)N

Hazards

MSDS

External MSDS

EU classification

Harmful (Xn)
Carc. Cat. 3

NFPA 704

R-phrases

R40

S-phrases

S2, S36/37

Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox disclaimer and references

Acetamide (or acetic acid amide or ethanamide), CH₃CONH₂, the amide of acetic acid, is a white crystalline solid in pure form. It is produced by dehydrating ammonium acetate. It is used as a plasticizer and in the synthesis of many other organic compounds.

Acetamide is not extremely combustible, but releases irritating fumes when ignited. It is toxic by inhalation (of dust), ingestion, skin and eye contact. Skin or eye contact may cause redness and pain.

The derivative N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA), which has two methyl groups replacing the amine protons, is used as a solvent.

Recent work on the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope has resulted in the discovery of several organic (carbon-based) compounds near the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Acetamide has been detected. This is particularly important as Acetamide has a peptide bond, the essential bond between amino acids in proteins. This supports the theory that organic molecules that can lead to life (as we know it on Earth) can form in space.