On heating acetamide in presence of `P_(2)O_(5)`, which of the following is formed

Options

A. Ammnium acetate
B. Acetonitrile
C. `NH_(3)`
D. Methylamines

Explanation

To solve the question of what is formed when acetamide is heated in the presence of P₂O₅, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reactants**:
- The reactant is acetamide, which has the chemical formula CH₃C(O)NH₂. This compound contains an amide functional group.

2. **Understand the Role of P₂O₅**:
- P₂O₅ (phosphorus pentoxide) is known to be a strong dehydrating agent. This means it has the ability to remove water (H₂O) from other compounds.

3. **Reaction Mechanism**:
- When acetamide is heated in the presence of P₂O₅, the dehydrating action of P₂O₅ will lead to the removal of a water molecule from acetamide.
- The reaction can be represented as:
\[ \text{CH}_3C(O)NH_2 \xrightarrow{\text{P}_2\text{O}_5} \text{CH}_3C \equiv N + H_2O \]
- Here, the carbonyl group (C=O) of acetamide is converted into a nitrile group (C≡N) as water is eliminated.

4. **Identify the Product**:
- The product formed from this reaction is acetonitrile, which has the chemical formula CH₃C≡N.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the final product formed when acetamide is heated with P₂O₅ is acetonitrile.

### Final Answer:
- The correct answer is **acetonitrile (CH₃C≡N)**.