Also known as
acetimidic acid or
ethanamide. It is used as a general
solvent for both
inorganic and
organic compounds, a
solubilizer, a
plasticizer, an
antacid in the
lacquer,
explosives and
cosmetics industries, a stabilizer in
peroxides, and in the synthesis of organic chemicals such as
methylamine and
thioacetamide.
Acetamide is highly soluble in water, and is toxic to most living things (especially birds). It may enter the environment from industrial discharges or spills.
structural formula for acetamide:
H O
\ // acetamide
H -- C -- C C2H5NO
/ \
H N -- H
/
H