Question

What amide is produced from the reaction of ammonia and methanoic acid?

Short answer

The amide formed is methanamide (HCONH₂).

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Reactants

First, identify the reactants involved in the formation of the amide. In this reaction, we have ammonia (NH₃) and methanoic acid (HCOOH).

Form the Amide

Understand that an amide is formed when an amine (like ammonia) reacts with a carboxylic acid (like methanoic acid), typically releasing water (H₂O). In this reaction, methanoic acid's carboxylic group (COOH) will react with the ammonia, replacing its -OH group with an -NH₂, forming the amide bond.

Structural Formula of the Product

In the reaction between ammonia and methanoic acid, the -OH from the acid combines with H from ammonia to form water as a byproduct, leaving a new functional group, CONH₂. The structure of the produced amide in this reaction will be: HCONH₂.

Naming the Amide

The amide formed from methanoic acid and ammonia is called methanamide, derived from the parent acid (methanoic acid) and its transformation into an amide.

Key concepts

Ammonia Reaction

Ammonia, known chemically as NH₃, is a simple compound made of one nitrogen and three hydrogen atoms. It plays a crucial role in various chemical reactions, especially in forming amides. When ammonia reacts with acids, it can undergo several transformations, depending on the type of acid involved. In the context of amide formation, ammonia acts as a nucleophile. A nucleophile is an electron-rich species that seeks to bond with an electron-poor species. Needing the presence of electron-poor sites, such as functional groups in carboxylic acids. These properties make ammonia highly reactive with carboxylic acids, such as methanoic acid, enabling it to replace certain groups to form new compounds like amides. This reactivity is central to numerous synthetic chemistry processes, helping form bonds that build up more complex molecular structures.

Methanoic Acid

Methanoic acid, also known as formic acid, is the simplest carboxylic acid with the chemical formula HCOOH. This acid is characterized by its strong acidic properties in solutions and a simple structure that makes it a useful reactant in forming amides. Methanoic acid has a hydrogen atom directly bonded to the carboxylic acid group (-COOH), differentiating it from other more complex acids. In the process of forming an amide, the -OH group from the carboxylic group participates directly by bonding with a hydrogen atom from the ammonia, resulting in water as a byproduct.
This simple exchange allows the remaining parts to combine and form an amide linkage defined by the bond CONH₂. This transformation is often used in both laboratory settings and industrial applications, due to the straightforward nature of the reactions involving methanoic acid.

Chemical Reaction Steps

Understanding the steps of a chemical reaction is crucial to mastering organic synthesis. When forming an amide from ammonia and methanoic acid, there are clear steps involved.

• Step 1: Identification of Reactants: Recognize the compounds involved – ammonia (NH₃) and methanoic acid (HCOOH).
• Step 2: Interaction and Formation: The ammonia molecule will donate a hydrogen atom, interacting with the -OH group from methanoic acid. This leads to the release of water, while the remaining structures bond to form the amide linkage (CONH₂).
• Step 3: Naming the Product: The resultant compound from this reaction is named methanamide, highlighting its origin from methanoic acid.

Understanding these steps not only helps in creating new chemical compounds but also in predicting the outcomes of similar reactions. Each step represents a vital part of the overall reaction process, emphasizing the importance of methodical and precise execution in chemistry.