Nacetil

Nacetil is a term used in some languages to refer to the N-acetyl group in chemistry. In English this is written as N-acetyl and denotes an acetyl group (CH3CO–) that is bonded to a nitrogen atom, producing an N-acyl derivative. The attachment can occur to amines, forming amides, or to the nitrogen of amino acids and peptides, leading to N-acetylated amino acids and proteins.

N-acetylation serves several roles. As a protective modification in organic synthesis, acetyl groups shield amine functionalities during multi-step sequences and can be removed later by hydrolysis or enzymatic action. In biochemistry and cell biology, N-acetylation is a common post-translational and metabolic modification that can alter protein charge, solubility, and interactions. N-acetylation of amino acids and peptides can influence stability and biological activity.

Examples include N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a clinically used drug with mucolytic and antioxidant properties, and N-acetylglucosamine, a common acetylated sugar derivative involved in signaling and metabolism. Reagents such as N-acetylimidazole are employed to introduce acetyl groups in laboratory synthesis.

The term may appear in various languages without spaces or hyphens (for instance Nacetil) as a direct translation of N-acetyl. In chemical nomenclature, the prefix is always used with the nitrogen it modifies, e.g., N-acetyl, N-acetylated.