Acetamide (Acetic acid amide)
 
Catalog Number: ASC-1024
CAS Number: 60-35-5
MW: 59.07 g/mol
MF: C2H5NO
 
The small chemical compound acetamide can be metabolically changed into the corresponding ester hydrochloride. A key method in molecular biology, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), is inhibited by this derivative. Although the precise mechanism of this inhibition is yet unknown, theories point to changes to the enzyme or the deactivation of crucial effector proteins.
Moreover, research has investigated acetamide’s and its ester hydrochloride’s possible anti-cancer qualities. These studies have shown certain inhibitory effects on carcinoma cell lines and skin cancer cells.
 
Applications
Plasticizer: Acetamide is used in coatings, fixtures, cloth, and leather. 
Solvent: Acetamide is used in soldering flux, lacquers, and explosives. It's also used in electrochemistry and organic synthesis. 
Stabilizer: Acetamide is used as a stabilizer for peroxide. 
Antacid: Acetamide is used as an antacid in cosmetics, explosives, and varnishes. 
Humectant: Acetamide is used as a humectant for paper. 
Organic synthesis: Acetamide is used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and antioxidants. 
Antidote: Acetamide is an antidote to fluoroacetamide poisoning. 
Cosmetics: Acetamide MEA is used in cosmetics to increase water content in the skin and improve the appearance and feel of hair.