Chapter 21.7C, Problem 21.21P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The steps that are sufficiently exothermic to drive the reactions to completion in the hydrolysis mechanisms (both acidic and basic) of $N,N\text{-dimethylacetamide}$ are to be stated.

Concept introduction:

The acidic hydrolysis of an amide comprises two stages. The first half is an acid catalyzed addition of the nucleophile (water). The second half is an acid catalyzed elimination of the leaving group.

The basic hydrolysis of an amide comprises three steps. The first step is addition of the nucleophile. The second step is elimination of the leaving group. The third step is proton transfer.