The anhydrides react with amines and ammonia to form amides. Under the reaction conditions, a carboxylic acid is also obtained.
![anhydrides-reaction-amines anhidridos-reaccion-aminas](/images/stories/organica-ii/anhidridos/reaccion-aminas/anhidridos-reaccion-aminas-01.png)
The mechanism of the reaction consists in the addition of ammonia with subsequent elimination of acetic acid.
Stage 1. Addition of ammonia
![anhydrides-reaction-amines anhidridos-reaccion-aminas](/images/stories/organica-ii/anhidridos/reaccion-aminas/anhidridos-reaccion-aminas-02.png)
Stage 2. Acid-base balance
![anhydrides-reaction-amines anhidridos-reaccion-aminas](/images/stories/organica-ii/anhidridos/reaccion-aminas/anhidridos-reaccion-aminas-03.png)
Stage 3. Elimination
![anhydrides-reaction-amines anhidridos-reaccion-aminas](/images/stories/organica-ii/anhidridos/reaccion-aminas/anhidridos-reaccion-aminas-04.png)