Which product results from the basic hydrolysis of an amide?

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Multiple Choice

Which product results from the basic hydrolysis of an amide?

Basic hydrolysis of an amide, or saponification, gives a carboxylate salt and an amine. In base, hydroxide attacks the carbonyl carbon of the amide, kicking out the nitrogen-containing fragment as an amine. The carboxyl group is deprotonated in the basic medium, so it ends up as the carboxylate ion, which then pairs with a metal cation (like Na+) to form a carboxylate salt. The nitrogen fragment leaves as an amine (for a simple formamide this would be ammonia, but in general it’s the amine corresponding to the original amide). That’s why the correct product is a carboxylate salt and an amine.

Basic hydrolysis of an amide, or saponification, gives a carboxylate salt and an amine. In base, hydroxide attacks the carbonyl carbon of the amide, kicking out the nitrogen-containing fragment as an amine. The carboxyl group is deprotonated in the basic medium, so it ends up as the carboxylate ion, which then pairs with a metal cation (like Na+) to form a carboxylate salt. The nitrogen fragment leaves as an amine (for a simple formamide this would be ammonia, but in general it’s the amine corresponding to the original amide). That’s why the correct product is a carboxylate salt and an amine.

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