Seneca
Sign up

Amides

Chemistry: Cambridge International A Level, topic 3.7.3

Amides

Amides are organic compounds with a single carbon that has a double bond to an oxygen atom and a single bond to a nitrogen atom.

The structure of amides

The structure of amides

  • Amides can be classed as primary, secondary or tertiary.
  • The number of carbon atoms attached directly to the nitrogen in the molecule determines if the amide is primary, secondary or tertiary.
Primary amides

Primary amides

  • Primary amides have one carbon attached directly to the nitrogen.
  • This is the same carbon that has the double bond with oxygen.
  • The nitrogen will also be connected to two hydrogen atoms.
Secondary amides

Secondary amides

  • Secondary amides have two carbons attached directly to the nitrogen.
  • This is the carbon that has the double bond with oxygen and one other carbon atom.
  • The nitrogen will also be connected to one hydrogen atom.

Test yourself on Amides

  • How many carbons do secondary amides have directly attached to the nitrogen?

Practise this topic for free