Carboxylic Acid Derivatives - Amides, Esters, and Anhydrides

Overview

• Chapter 9 of MCAT Organic Chemistry
• Focus: Carboxylic Acid Derivatives - Amides, Esters, and Anhydrides
• Objectives: Naming, Reactivity, Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution

Amides

Definition and Formation

• General formula: R-C(=O)-NR2
• Formed via condensation reactions with carboxylic acids
• Primary and secondary amines involved; loss of hydrogen required
• May or may not participate in hydrogen bonding

Nomenclature

• Replace "-oic acid" with "-amide"
• Alkyl substituents on nitrogen listed as prefixes with location specified by "N"
  • Example: N-ethyl-N-methylbutanamide
• Cyclic amides called