Lactam: Difference between revisions
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In chemistry, a '''lactam''' is a cyclic [[amide]]. The name is derived from two chemical terms, [[lactone]], referring to a cyclic | In chemistry, a '''lactam''' is a cyclic [[amide]]. The name is derived from two chemical terms, [[lactone]], referring to a cyclic ketone, and [[amide]], a compound containing a [[nitrogen]] atom next to a [[carbonyl]] group. Lactams are named according to the size of the cyclic ring in the lactam: <math>\alpha</math>-lactams, <math>\beta</math>-lactams, <math>\gamma</math>-lactams and <math>\delta</math>-lactams contain rings made of three, four, five and six atoms, respectively. <math>\alpha</math>-lactams are also called aziridinones. Many widely used antibiotic drugs, [[penicillin]]s and [[cephalosporin]]s owe their activity to the presence of a <math>\beta</math>-lactam. | ||
Revision as of 13:16, 17 May 2008
In chemistry, a lactam is a cyclic amide. The name is derived from two chemical terms, lactone, referring to a cyclic ketone, and amide, a compound containing a nitrogen atom next to a carbonyl group. Lactams are named according to the size of the cyclic ring in the lactam: -lactams, -lactams, -lactams and -lactams contain rings made of three, four, five and six atoms, respectively. -lactams are also called aziridinones. Many widely used antibiotic drugs, penicillins and cephalosporins owe their activity to the presence of a -lactam.
