The interaction of salts, amides, and water.

Infrared and Raman spectra are presented for salt solutions in N-methyl formamide and N,N'-dimethylformamide. Viscosities are reported for many of these solutions. Spectroscopic and viscosity data are also given for amide-salt solutions containing water. The three-component systems exhibit a hydrogen-bonding strength of water proton greater than amide proton, and an acceptor strength of Cl- greater than amide carbonyl oxygen greater than water oxygen. The salt cation is deduced by means of viscosity measurements to interact strongly with the amide carbonyl oxygen, even in the presence of appreciable quantities of water. Association of amides by hydrogen bonding through halide ions is also indicated.