amidering

Amidering is a term used in chemistry to describe a ring-shaped molecule in which the ring is composed largely of amide linkages. In a narrow sense, it refers to lactams—cyclic amides formed by the cyclization of amino acid derivatives or other carboxamide-forming precursors. More broadly, amiderings can include macrocyclic polyamides and cyclic peptides that contain consecutive amide bonds. These structures can vary in size from six-membered lactams to large macrocycles containing many amide units.

Chemical features of amiderings include the resonance of the amide bond, which gives partial double-bond character to the C–N linkage and tends to impose planarity and rigidity on the ring. Hydrogen-bonding networks within the ring or between the ring and substituents can stabilize specific conformations. Ring size and substitution influence properties such as rigidity, solubility, and binding behavior. The balance between ring strain and conformational entropy often governs the preferred geometry and the ability to participate in host–guest interactions or catalysis.

Synthesis of amiderings typically involves cyclization to form the amide bonds, known as macrolactamization for larger rings or standard lactam formation for smaller ones. Common methods include activation of carboxyl groups, coupling of amino and carboxyl partners, and strategies to preorganize precursors to favor cyclization. Conditions such as solvent, concentration, and templating can strongly affect yields and selectivity.

Applications of amiderings arise in supramolecular chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and materials science. Their constrained conformations make them attractive as scaffolds for molecular recognition, enzyme inhibitors, and as components of rigid nano-architectures. The term amidering is not a formal IUPAC designation and may appear in informal or review contexts to describe cyclic amide-containing architectures. See also lactam, cyclic peptide, macrocycle, and polyamide.