• Amides?are formed from the?condensation reaction?of?carboxylic acids or acyl chlorides?with?ammonia or amines
• The amide group (CONR₂) in these compounds can undergo reactions including
  • Hydrolysis?with?aqueous alkali?or?aqueous acid
  • Reduction?with?LiAlH₄

Hydrolysis of amides

• The -CON- group in?substituted amides?links two hydrocarbon sections of their molecules together
• This amide link can be broken down by?hydrolysis?by?refluxing?it with an?acid?or?alkali
• The products of a?non-substituted amide?are:
  • Carboxylic acid
  • Ammonia
• The products of a?substituted amide?are:
  • Carboxylic acid
  • Primary amine

Hydrolysis of substituted and non-substituted amides

• Ammonia will react in?excess acid?to form an ammonium salt
• Carboxylic acid will get deprotonated in?excess base?to form a carboxylate ion

Amides are hydrolysed to carboxylic acids and ammonia or primary amine when refluxed with acid or alkali

Reduction of amides

• The C=O group in amides can be?reduced?by the strong reducing agent LiAlH₄?to form an amine
• The products of a?non-substituted amide?are:
  • A primary amine and water
• The products of a?substituted amide?are:
  • A secondary amine and water

Amides can be reduced to amines using LiAlH₄