Butyramide

Butyramide is the amide of butyric acid. It has the molecular formula C₃H₇CONH₂. It is a white solid that is freely soluble in water and ethanol, but slightly soluble in diethyl ether. At room temperature, butyramide is a crystalline solid and in contrast to butyric acid, it is devoid of an unpleasant, rancid smell.

Synthesis

Butyramide can be synthesized by:

catalytic hydration of butyronitrile;
reaction of butyryl chloride with ammonium salts;
reduction of butyraldoxime.
Derivatives

Some of its derivatives have shown preliminary strong anticonvulsive activity and inhibitory action on histone deacetylases, which are crucial enzymes controlling the proliferative or differentiation status of most cells.