Asetüülaminorühm

Asetüülaminorühm is an organic functional group with the chemical formula -NHCOCH3. It is formed by the acylation of an amino group with an acetyl group. This group is also known as an acetamide group. The nitrogen atom is bonded to a carbonyl group, and the carbonyl group is bonded to a methyl group. This structure is planar due to resonance between the nitrogen lone pair and the carbonyl pi system.

The asetüülaminorühm is a common feature in many organic molecules, including amino acids and proteins. For instance, the amino acid N-acetylalanine contains this functional group. In biochemistry, the acetylation of proteins, particularly the N-terminus of proteins, is a significant post-translational modification that can affect protein stability, localization, and function. Acetylation is catalyzed by enzymes called acetyltransferases.

The presence of the asetüülaminorühm can influence the physical and chemical properties of a molecule. It is less basic than a simple amino group due to the electron-withdrawing effect of the carbonyl group. This reduction in basicity is important in biological systems, affecting interactions with other molecules and pH-dependent behaviors. The amide bond within the group is relatively stable but can be hydrolyzed under strong acidic or basic conditions.