Amides are organic compounds that contain a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to a nitrogen atom (N). They can be derived from carboxylic acids by replacing the hydroxyl group (-OH) with an amine group (-NH2, -NHR, or -NR2). Amides are commonly found in nature, particularly in proteins, where they form the backbone of amino acids. These compounds can be classified into primary, secondary, and tertiary amides based on the number of carbon-containing groups attached to the nitrogen. Amides are important in various fields, including pharmaceuticals and agriculture, due to their diverse chemical properties and biological activities.