Contextualization

Theoretical Introduction

Amides are chemical compounds from the family of nitrogenous functions, characterized by the presence of the functional group -CONH2, which results from the substitution of one or two hydrogens of ammonia by carboxylic acids. They can be primary, secondary, or tertiary depending on whether one, two, or three hydrogens of ammonia have been replaced, respectively. They are essential components of many materials and everyday substances.

Amides have hydrogen bonds, which significantly influence their physical properties, such as melting and boiling points, solubility, among others. In addition, they stand out for their various applications in the plastics industry, pharmaceuticals, food, and even in cleaning products.

Due to their importance and wide application, it is crucial to understand their properties, characteristics, and reactions. This includes knowing how to identify an amide, understand its molecular structure, and know its practical applications.

Relevance of Amides

Amides are present in our daily lives in various ways, such as in nylon, an amide polymer used for the manufacture of a multitude of objects like clothes, ropes, brushes, and even automobile airbags, due to its resistance and durability.

In medicine, some amides are used in the production of medications, such as some types of analgesics and anesthetics. Furthermore, many proteins, which are essential for the functioning of our organism, are formed by amides. Therefore, the study of amides can provide a deeper understanding of the structure and functioning of many biological substances.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Amides: From Concepts to Practical Applications

Project Objective

The activity aims to allow students to explore the universe of amides, from understanding their chemical structure to comprehending their everyday and industrial applications. Students will explore through guided research the properties, characteristics, and applications of amides, culminating in the construction of a prototype product containing amide in its composition or using amide in some production process.

Project Description

Students will be divided into groups of 3 to 5 participants, where each group will be responsible for developing a project on amides that involves two main parts:

1. Conducting theoretical research on what amides are, their properties and characteristics, as well as their practical applications.
2. Building a prototype product containing amide in its composition or using amide in some production process.

Required Materials

1. Research materials (Internet, books, videos, etc.)
2. Materials for prototype construction (dependent on the type of production)
3. Paper and pens to sketch ideas and concepts
4. Presentation software to create the product presentation (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides, etc.)

Step by Step

1. Conduct in-depth research on amides, including: definition, properties, characteristics, and practical applications. Use the provided resources and feel free to explore other sources of information.

2. Discuss in the group the research findings. Identify the most common applications of amides and how they are incorporated into products and industrial processes.

3. Use the acquired knowledge to create a prototype of a product. It could be, for example, a nylon model made from amides, a fictional medication, or a food containing proteins (which contain amides). Make use of your creativity and the available resources.

4. Prepare a presentation detailing the product creation process and how amides were integrated. Make sure to include information about the properties and characteristics of amides that made its creation possible.

5. Finally, prepare a project report that includes: Introduction, Development, Conclusion, and Bibliography. The Introduction should contain the contextualization of the theme and its objective. The Development should discuss the main points raised during the research, the methodology used, and the results obtained. The Conclusion should summarize the learning acquired during the project and the final considerations. The Bibliography should list all sources of information used.

Project Deliverables

1. Prototype Product: The created prototype should be presented to the class with a complete explanation of how and why amides were used in its conception.

2. Product Presentation: The presentation, which should last about 15-20 minutes, should focus on the product creation process, the characteristics of amides that made its production possible, and how they impact its properties.

3. Written Report: The written report should contain a complete discussion of the research conducted, the product creation process, and the group's conclusions. It should be formatted following the structure of Introduction, Development, Conclusion, and Bibliography. Each section should complement the other, providing a complete account of the group's efforts to understand amides and apply this knowledge.

Thus, this practical activity will allow students to apply the knowledge acquired about amides to create something concrete, while developing important skills such as research, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving.