How do you classify an amide?

An amide is classified as a compound derived from a carboxylic acid. This classification stems from the structural characteristics of amides, which are formed when the hydroxyl group (-OH) of a carboxylic acid is replaced by an amine or ammonia (NH2). The general structure of an amide can be represented as RCONR'2, where R is a hydrocarbon chain or hydrogen, and NR'2 indicates the presence of nitrogen-bound carbon(s).

This relationship with carboxylic acids is key; the formation of an amide involves a condensation reaction, specifically amidation, where the carboxyl group of the acid interacts with the amine to form the amide. This connection emphasizes that amides are not derived from esters or ketones, as those would involve different functional groups and structures. Additionally, while some amides can be naturally occurring, this characteristic doesn't define their classification, making the link to carboxylic acids the primary basis for identifying them.