Final answer:
The condensation of a carboxylic acid and an amine produces an amide compound, releasing water as a by-product. This process, known as amidation, is significant for forming proteins and synthetic materials like nylon.
Step-by-step explanation:
The condensation of a carboxylic acid and an amine produces an amide. This reaction is vital in biology as it is the basis for linking amino acids together to form proteins. When a carboxylic acid reacts with primary or secondary amines, secondary or tertiary amides are produced, respectively. A water molecule is eliminated during this process, known as amidation.
For example, when acetic acid reacts with ammonia (NH3), a primary amide, acetamide, is formed. Similarly, when carboxylic acids react with amines such as hexanamine, hexanamide is produced. This type of reaction is also fundamental in producing synthetic materials like nylon.
Overall, the reaction results in the -OH group of the carboxylic acid being replaced by the amino group (-NH2, -NHR', or -NR'2) of the amine, with water as a by-product, analogous to ester formation where the -OH is replaced by -OR'.