Amides and Imides, Organic

Compounds in this group are combustible. The products of their combustion include noxious NOx.

Organic amides react with azo and diazo compounds to generate toxic gases. Flammable gases are formed by the reaction of organic amides with strong reducing agents. Amides are very weak bases (weaker than water). Imides are less basic yet and in fact react with strong bases to form salts. That is, they can react as acids. Mixing amides with dehydrating agents such as P2O5 or SOCl2 generates the corresponding nitrile. The combustion of these compounds generate mixed oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

Low to moderate. They act by ingestion and by contact with the skin.

Organic amides contain the structural group RCONH2 (where R is any organic radical). In some amides the hydrogen atoms are replaced by other R groups. Amides derive chemically from carboxylic acids by the replacement of the -OH portion of the grouping RCOOH with an -NH2 group. Imides contain the grouping (RCO)2NH. Most amides are solids at room temperature (exception: formamide). Amides containing five carbon atoms or fewer are soluble in water. Amides are versatile chemicals that enter into many useful reactions, especially in the fertilizer industry. Polyamides are polymers in which a succession of amide linkages link hold together a molecular chain of high molecular weight. Proteins in foods are naturally occurring polyamides; Nylon is a synthetic polymer.

Urea, acetamide, acrylamide, benzamide, caprolactam, formamide, dimethylformamide, phenylurea.