Contextualization

Amides are organic compounds derived from carboxylic acids, where the -OH is replaced by a nitrogen, which can be linked to hydrogens or carbon chains. They are very present in our daily lives and have a fundamental importance in various areas of science. Surely you have heard of proteins, right? They are formed by amino acids, which in turn have the amide functional group. This makes amides key components in the structure of living beings.

Continuing our journey through the world of amides, let's delve into their properties and characteristics. Amides are polar compounds, that is, they have one end with higher electron density than the other, which gives them the ability to create dipole-dipole interactions. This property makes amides soluble in water and other polar compounds. In addition, amides have high boiling and melting points, in relation to compounds of similar molecular mass, due to strong intermolecular interactions.

Now, let's talk about the relevance of amides and their application in the real world. As we mentioned earlier, amides are present in proteins and, therefore, play a crucial role in biology. Moreover, they can be found in many medications. For example, did you know that paracetamol, a very common medicine for pain and fever, has an amide functional group in its structure? Amides are also used in the manufacture of a variety of materials, including some synthetic fibers and plastics.

To help us explore the world of amides, we recommend the following resources for consultation and studies:

• General Chemistry and Chemical Reactions - Volume 2 (Kotz, Treichel, Townsend, 2015)
• Education Portal: Amides
• Brazil School: Amides
• Education World: Amides

Practical Activity: The Discovery of Amides

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to provide you with a deeper and more practical understanding of amides, including their structure, properties, and importance to the world around us.

Project Description

Groups of 3 to 5 students should research and explore amides in a creative way. Based on the theory about amides, you should develop a didactic way to approach the topic. It can be through a demonstrative experiment, the creation of an explanatory video, an infographic, a theatrical representation, a didactic game, among others. The goal is for you to find a playful and informative way to teach others about amides.

Required Materials

The materials will depend on your choice for the project presentation. However, you may need:

• Drawing and painting materials (if you decide to make an infographic)
• Camera or smartphone (if you decide to make a video)
• Chemistry materials (if you decide to do a demonstrative experiment) Remember: safety first! Any experiment must be supervised by a responsible adult.

Activity Step by Step

1. Form groups of 3 to 5 students.
2. Research about amides, understanding their properties, characteristics, and applications.
3. Decide how you want to present this information in a creative and didactic way.
4. Develop a plan for the execution of your idea.
5. Gather the necessary materials.
6. Carry out the planned activity, always keeping safety in mind.
7. Document the entire process. This will be crucial for writing the report.
8. Review the main points and prepare to present the project to the class.

Project Deliverables

In addition to the didactic presentation on amides, you must deliver a written report. This document should contain the following elements:

1. Introduction: Here you should contextualize the theme of amides, explain their relevance and application in the real world, and also the objective of this project.

2. Development: In this section, you will bring some theory about amides, indicate the methodology used, explain the activity in detail, and finally, present and discuss the results obtained.

3. Conclusion: Review the main points, explaining the learnings obtained and the conclusions drawn from the project.

4. Bibliography: Indicate the sources of information on which you based your project work, such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

Be clear, organized, and objective in your report. It is a tool that allows evaluating not only the technical knowledge acquired but also skills such as time management, teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking.

The total execution time of this project is 2 to 4 hours per participating student, and the deadline for delivery will be one week.