Uses
Lactamide is used as a synthetic raw material in organic chemistry, as an additive in cosmetics, and as a preservative in frozen semen and fertilized eggs in livestock reproduction studies.
Definition
ChEBI:Lactamide is a monocarboxylic acid amide that is lactic acid
in which the carboxylic acid group has been converted to the
corresponding carboxamide. It is a monocarboxylic acid amide and a
secondary alcohol. It is functionally related to a rac-lactic acid.
Synthesis
α-Hydroxy methyl ester (10 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was added into the 100 ml RBF, anda saturated methanol solution of ammonia (20 ml, 38 equiv) was added underthe ice-water bath and stirred overnight. The mixture was concentrated underreduced pressure and in most case Lactamide were obtained in high yields,while in rare occasions purified by flash chromatography.
