Infrared spectra of amides

A criterion for the position of the extent of the mesomerism of type 9 is given by the bond order of the CO bond, a first approximation to W hich can be obtained from the infrared spectrum (v C=0). Unfortunately, relatively little is known of the infrared spectra of amide anions. How-ever, it can be assumed that the mesomeric relationships in the anions 9 can also be deduced from the infrared spectra of the free amides (4), although, of course, the absolute participation of the canonical forms a and b in structures 4 and 9 is different. If Table I is considered from this point of view, the intimate relationship betw-een the position of the amide band 1 (v C=0) and the orientation (0 or N) of methylation of lactams by diazomethane is unmistakeable. Thus the behavior of a lactam tow ard diazomethane can be deduced from the acidity (velocity of reaction) and the C=0 stretching frequency (orientation of methylation). Three major regions can be differentiated (1) 1620-1680 cm h 0-methylation (2) 1680-1720 cm i, O- and A -methylation, w ith kinetic dependence and (3) 1730-1800 em , A -methylation, The factual material in Table I is... 

Considerable information is available on the infrared spectra of amides. By way of example, the spectra of three typical amides with different degrees of substitution on nitrogen are shown in Figure 24-1. 

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