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Solubility of Amides

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Urea ($\ce{H2N-CO-NH2}$) is the quintessential amide. It is extremely soluble in water, and you could say it is a hydrogen donor and acceptor in water.

However, if you replace one of the $\ce{-NH2}$ groups with an alkane or other organic group, solubility is reduced, depending on the size of the group.

Amides generally have higher boiling points and melting points than related alcohols and acids - because of their unique ability to be internal hydrogen donors and acceptors. This donor-acceptor capability makes their solid state more stable and less able to be solvated to a greater degree in water. You could think of the internal bonds being like a dimerization, where the organic chain effect is doubled, while the double $\ce{-CO-NH2}$ interaction gains little benefit from solution in water.

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