Amide facts for kids
An amide is a type of chemical compound. The word "amide" can mean two different things depending on if we are talking about inorganic or organic chemistry.
Contents
What are Amides in Inorganic Chemistry?
In inorganic chemistry, an amide is a special kind of ion. An ion is an atom or molecule with an electric charge. This amide ion is made when you take away a hydrogen atom (and its electron) from ammonia. Ammonia is a chemical compound with the formula NH3.
When ammonia loses a hydrogen, it acts like a very weak acid. The amide ion that is formed is a very strong base. A base is a chemical that can accept hydrogen ions. An example of an inorganic amide is Sodium amide.
What are Amides in Organic Chemistry?
In organic chemistry, amides are also chemical compounds. They are formed when a type of acid called a carboxylic acid reacts with a chemical called an amine. An example of a carboxylic acid is acetic acid, which is found in vinegar.
There are many different ways to create amides. They are also used in many chemical reactions. Amides are very important in biology. For example, proteins are made of long chains of amino acids linked together by amide bonds.
Related pages
Images for kids
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General structure of an amide (specifically, a carboxamide)
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Formamide, the simplest amide
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Asparagine, an amino acid with a side chain (highlighted) containing an amide group
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Ball-and-stick model of the formamide molecule, showing the π molecular orbitals (gray).
See also
In Spanish: Amida para niños
