Wiktionary
n. (context organic compound English) The amide of formic acid HCO-NH2 or any N-substituted derivative; they are used in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals
Wikipedia
Formamide, also known as methanamide, is an amide derived from formic acid. It is a clear liquid which is miscible with water and has an ammonia-like odor. It is chemical feedstock for the manufacture of sulfa drugs, other pharmaceuticals, herbicides, pesticides and the manufacture of hydrocyanic acid. It has been used as a softener for paper and fiber. It is a solvent for many ionic compounds. It has also been used as a solvent for resins and plasticizers.
Formamide will begin to partially decompose into carbon monoxide and ammonia at 180 °C together with traces of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and water. In the presence of solid acid catalysts, formamide yields HCN in high yield:
low temperature: HC(O)NH → CO + NH high temperature, acid-catalyzed: HC(O)NH → HCN + HOUsage examples of "formamide".
DNA and the probe DNA being used by heating them in a solution of formamide at seventy degrees Celsius so that they could bind to each other.