Acetamide
Description
Acetamide (CAS 60-35-5), also known as acetic acid amide, is the simplest aliphatic amide and functions as a solvent, plasticizer, and chemical intermediate across pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and biotechnology manufacturing.
With FEMA number 4251, it is recognized in flavoring applications and serves as a building block for synthesis of more complex amide-based compounds in various industrial processes.
In pharmaceutical manufacturing, acetamide acts as a reaction intermediate and catalyst precursor in the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients requiring specific amide bond formation during the production cycle.
Personal care formulators use it as a humectant and surface-modifying agent in skin conditioning products, where it supports moisture retention at the formulation level for high-quality cosmetic goods.
Biotechnology applications include its use as a buffering component and nitrogen source in microbial culture media and biochemical assay systems used for research and development purposes.
In specialty chemical synthesis, it functions as a catalyst precursor and pH-regulating agent in controlled reaction environments to ensure consistent results across different manufacturing batches.
Acetamide is supplied as a white crystalline solid or powder. Standard commercial grades include technical and pharmaceutical-grade material, with purity levels typically ranging from 98% to 99%+.
Packaging is available in laboratory quantities through to bulk industrial supply to meet both R&D and production-scale procurement requirements for global chemical distribution networks.
Physical Properties
| Melting Point | 81 °C |
| Boiling Point | 222 °C @ Press: 760 Torr |
| Density | 1.159 g/cm³ @ Temp: 20 °C |
| Flash Point | 220-222°C |
| Appearance | Acetamide is a colorless to yellow, deliquescent, crystalline solid. Odorless if pure, “mousy” odor if impure. Odor threshold5140 160 milligram per cubic meter. |
| Color | White |
| Odor | Mousy odor |
| Form | Crystals |
| Water Solubility | 2000 g/L (20 ºC) |
| Vapor Pressure | 1 mm Hg ( 65 °C) |
| Refractive Index | 1.4274 |
| Log P | -1.26 |
Safety & Handling (Learn More)
Trade & Regulatory
| HS Code | 29241900 |
| UN Number | 3077 |
| ADR Class | 9 |
| Packing Group | III |
| Storage Class | 11 - Combustible Solids |
| WGK (Germany) | 1 |
Documentation
Other Names
Acetic acid amide|Acetimidic acid|Ethanimidic acid|Amid kyseliny octove|NCI-C02108|CH3CONH2
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