What is the Difference Between Acetamide and Benzamide?

Acetamide and benzamide are organic compounds containing an amide functional group. The key difference between acetamide and benzamide is the substituent attached to the amide group:

• Acetamide: It has a methyl group attached to the amide group and has the chemical formula CH3CONH2. Acetamide can be produced from ammonium acetate via a dehydration reaction and is used as a plasticizer and as an industrial solvent.
• Benzamide: It has a benzene ring attached to the amide group and has the chemical formula C7H7NO. Benzamide can be prepared by mixing benzonitrile with sulfuric acid and is used as a chemical intermediate.

The molecular mass of benzamide is greater than that of acetamide, resulting in benzamide having stronger intermolecular forces and a higher melting point. In terms of basicity, acetamide is more basic than benzamide.

Comparative Table: Acetamide vs Benzamide

The key difference between acetamide and benzamide lies in the structural composition of these two organic compounds. Here is a comparison of their properties:

In terms of basicity, acetamide is actually more basic than benzamide.