Acetanilide
chemical compound
Acetanilide is the organic compound with the formula C6H5NHC(O)CH3. It is the N-acetylated derivative of aniline. It is an odourless solid chemical of leaf or flake-like appearance. It is also known as N-phenylacetamide, acetanil, or acetanilid, and was formerly known by the trade name Antifebrin from Merck & Co. and Antikamnia from the Antikamnia Chemical Company.
Preparation and properties
Acetanilide can be produced by reacting acetic anhydride with aniline:
C6H5NH2 + (CH3CO)2O → C6H5NHCOCH3 + CH3COOH
The preparation used to be a traditional experiment in introductory organic chemistry lab classes, but it has now been widely replaced by the preparation of either paracetamol or aspirin, both of which teach the same practical techniques (especially recrystallization of the product) but which avoid the use of aniline, a suspected carcinogen.
Acetanilide is slightly soluble in water, and stable under most conditions. Pure crystals are plate shaped and appear colorless, white, or in between.
Applications
Acetanilide is used as an inhibitor of hydrogen peroxide decomposition and is used to stabilize cellulose ester varnishes. It has also found uses in the intermediation in rubber accelerator synthesis, dyes and dye intermediate synthesis, and camphor synthesis.
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