Practice Problem: Site of Protonation on a Weak Base

The video tutorial explains the reaction of acetamide, a weak base, with hydrochloric acid, a strong acid. It covers the Bronsted-Lowry acid-base theory, focusing on proton transfer. The tutorial discusses potential protonation sites on the acetamide molecule, emphasizing the role of lone pairs on nitrogen and oxygen atoms. It concludes with an analysis of resonance stabilization, highlighting why protonation occurs at the carbonyl position due to increased stability.

What is acetamide and how does it behave as a weak base?

Explain the role of hydrochloric acid in the reaction with acetamide.

What are Bronsted-Lowry acids and bases, and how do they relate to this reaction?

Where does the proton go on the acetamide molecule during the reaction?

Describe the resonance stabilization of the resulting structure after protonation.