FORMANILIDE

Chemical properties

white or light yellow crystals or powder

The Uses of FORMANILIDE

Formanilide was used to study the zero electron kinetic energy(ZEKE) spectra of cis- and trans-formanilide. It was used to investigate the gas-phase structures of the two isomers of the trans-formanilide-water complex by two-colour (1+1′) resonance enhanced multiphoton ionisation (REMPI) and ZEKE spectroscopy.

Definition

ChEBI: A member of the class of formamides that is formamide in which one of the amino hydrogens is replaced by a phenyl group.

Synthesis Reference(s)

Synthetic Communications, 13, p. 635, 1983 DOI: 10.1080/00397918308060342
Tetrahedron Letters, 26, p. 3703, 1985 DOI: 10.1016/S0040-4039(00)89228-X

General Description

White crystalline solid.

Air & Water Reactions

FORMANILIDE may be sensitive to prolonged exposure to air. . Soluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

FORMANILIDE is an amide. Amides/imides react with azo and diazo compounds to generate toxic gases. Flammable gases are formed by the reaction of organic amides/imides with strong reducing agents. Amides are very weak bases (weaker than water). Imides are less basic yet and in fact react with strong bases to form salts. That is, they can react as acids. Mixing amides with dehydrating agents such as P2O5 or SOCl2 generates the corresponding nitrile. The combustion of these compounds generates mixed oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

Health Hazard

SYMPTOMS: Exposure to FORMANILIDE may cause cyanosis, headache, dizziness, confusion, decreased blood pressure, convulsions and coma.

Fire Hazard

FORMANILIDE is probably combustible.

Purification Methods

Crystallise formanilide from Et2O (m 45.3o), Et2O/pet ether (m 46o), pet ether (m 47.6o), ligroin/xylene, or distil it preferably under reduced pressure. [Beilstein 12 H 230, 12 II 135, 12 III 453.]