Alkanolamides and ethoxylated derivatives

Boiling for 8 h at [H ] 6 mol/1 leads to conversion of both mono-and dialkanolamides to fatty acid and alkanolammonium ion. 

Alkali. Contrary to the general belief, dialkanolamides are readily saponified by boiling with 0.5 M ethanolic alkali, but monoalkanolamides are little affected by this treatment. Both types are hydrolysed by boiling for 6h with IM potassium hydroxide in ethylene glycol, which boils at 197°C. They are converted to soap and the corresponding alkanolamine. Ethoxylated derivatives behave similarly. 

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