Question

What carboxylic acid reacts with ammonia to give propanamide?

Short answer

Propanoic acid reacts with ammonia to form propanamide.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Structure of Propanamide

Propanamide has the chemical formula \( ext{C}_2 ext{H}_5 ext{CONH}_2 \), indicating one carbon in the carboxylic acid group and two additional carbons in the alkyl chain. This structure suggests the acid contributing to the amide must be a three-carbon carboxylic acid.

Determine the Parent Carboxylic Acid

The carboxylic acid having three carbons is propanoic acid. This acid provides the carbon backbone for the formation of propanamide. Its chemical formula is \( ext{CH}_3 ext{CH}_2 ext{COOH} \).

Write the Reaction Equation

The reaction between propanoic acid and ammonia proceeds as follows: \( ext{CH}_3 ext{CH}_2 ext{COOH} + ext{NH}_3 ightarrow ext{CH}_3 ext{CH}_2 ext{CONH}_2 + ext{H}_2 ext{O} \). In this reaction, the carboxylic acid reacts with ammonia to form the amide and water.

Key concepts

Amide Formation

Amide formation is a fundamental chemical reaction where a carboxylic acid reacts with an amine to produce an amide and water. This type of reaction is crucial in organic chemistry due to its role in creating compounds such as proteins and synthetic materials. In this process, the carboxylic acid group (-COOH) typically reacts with an amine group (-NH2) or ammonia (NH3).

Let's summarize the steps involved in amide formation:

• The hydroxyl group (OH) from the carboxylic acid and a hydrogen atom from the amine combine and are removed as water (H2O).
• The remaining components form an amide bond, connecting the carbonyl carbon of the acid to the nitrogen of the amine.
• This bond formation is accompanied by the release of water, a common feature of condensation reactions.

Understanding these steps can help you predict and balance chemical reactions involving amide formation, making it easier to synthesize complex organic molecules.

Propanamide Synthesis

To synthesize propanamide, a specific type of amide, you start with propanoic acid reacting with ammonia. Propanamide has the structure where the carbon of the carboxyl group is directly bonded to an amide group (-CONH2). This process relies on the nature of the chemical constituents and their ability to combine effectively.

Here's a breakdown of the synthesis of propanamide:

• Start with propanoic acid, which is a three-carbon carboxylic acid with the formula \( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{COOH} \).
• Introduce ammonia (NH3) to the reaction, serving as the amine source.
• React these substances under suitable conditions to yield propanamide \( \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{CONH}_2 \) and water.

The resulting reaction not only highlights the formation of an amide bond but also illustrates how simple molecules can combine to create more complex substances useful in numerous applications.

Chemical Reaction Equations

Chemical reaction equations are symbolic representations of chemical reactions. They offer a concise way to express the transformation of reactants into products. To write a proper chemical equation, identify the reactants and products, balance the equation, and depict the appropriate states of the substances involved.

Here's how to understand the chemical reaction equation used in forming propanamide:

• The reactants are propanoic acid \( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{COOH} \) and ammonia \( \text{NH}_3 \).
• The products are propanamide \( \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CONH}_2 \) and water \( \text{H}_2\text{O} \).
• The balanced reaction equation is: \[ \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{COOH} + \text{NH}_3 \rightarrow \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CONH}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]

Balancing the equation ensures that the number of atoms for each element is equal on both sides of the equation, reflecting the law of conservation of mass. This balanced equation is vital for understanding the stoichiometry of the reaction and ensuring that the synthesis proceeds efficiently.