amidic

Amidic is an adjective used in chemistry to describe anything related to amide groups or amide-type compounds. The term derives from the amide functional group, which features a carbonyl carbon (C=O) bonded to a nitrogen atom (−CO−NR2). Amidic compounds encompass amides themselves, as well as many biomolecules and synthetic materials that contain amide linkages.

In biology and materials science, the most familiar amidic context is the peptide bond, the amide linkage that joins amino acids within proteins. The broader class includes various polyamides, which form a major group of engineering polymers such as nylons. Amidic compounds are widespread in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and many industrial chemicals due to the stability and versatility of the amide linkage.

Chemically, amidic nitrogen is relatively nonbasic because of resonance with the adjacent carbonyl group, which also influences reactivity. Amides are commonly formed by condensation of carboxylic acids (or derivatives) with amines, followed by dehydration. They can also undergo hydrolysis under acidic or basic conditions to yield carboxylic acids and amines.

Usage and terminology may vary by field. In some contexts, amidic properties or reactions are described for substances bearing amide functionalities, including simple amides, peptide-like compounds, and related derivatives. The term should not be confused with imide or amidine, which refer to different nitrogen-containing carbonyl structures. Overall, amidic describes relations to the amide functional group and its characteristic chemistry.