Acetoacetamide is an organic compound with the formula CH3COCH2CONH2. It is the amide of acetoacetic acid. It is produced by treating diketene with aqueous ammonia

It results from degradation of the sweetner acesulfame potassium.

Related compounds

Acetoacetanilide (CH3COCH2CONH2) is the N-phenyl derivative of acetoacetamide. It is also prepared from diketene. It and various derivatives are used in the production of organic pigments called arylide yellows, one example being Pigment Yellow 74. Many analogues have been prepared. To make the dyes, acetoacetanilides are coupled to diazonium salts, "azo coupling".

Acetoacetylation with diketene followed by diazo coupling. The ketohydrazone tautomer is shown.