Since acetamide is needed in Hoffmann synthesis of methylamine, I decided to collect all possible syntheses.
I. Acetamide from Acetyl chloride
In test tube put 2 mL of conc. NH3 solution and put it into ice-water bath. Drop by drop add 1 mL acetyl chloride. Add acetyl chloride slowly, so the white fumes that appear don't escape from the test tube. If precipitate does not form add some ether or ether/methanol mixture.
II. Acetamide from Acetanhydride
Put 2 mL of conc. NH3 solution into test tube and put it in ice-water bath. Drop by drop add 1 mL of Acetanhydride. In this case white fumes don't appear. To this mixture add ether/methanol mixture until precipitate forms.
III. Acetamide from Ethyl acetate
Put 2 mL of conc. NH3 solution and 1 mL Ethyl acetate into test tube and shake it. When you can see only one layer add ether or ether/methanol mixture until precipitate forms.
First 2 synthesis I performed by myself. The third one was taken from all kind of sources and improved.
Give me some chemicals and I'll give you pleasure