A relative kinetic technique was used in combination with long-path Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to study the kinetics of the reactions of N-methylformamide (HC(O)NHCH 3 ), N,N-dimethylformamide (HC(O)N(CH 3 ) 2 ) and N,N-dimethylacetamide (CH 3 C(O)N(CH 3 ) 2 ) with OH radicals and Cl atoms at 298±2K and atmospheric pressure 1000±10mbar of air. The measured OH and Cl reaction rate coefficients (in units of cm 3 molecule −1 s −1 ) were, respectively, (0.86±0.24)×10 −11 and (0.97±0.17)×10 −10 for N-methylformamide, (1.4±0.3)×10 −11 and (1.9±0.3)×10 −10 for N,N-dimethylformamide, (1.9±0.3)×10 −11 and (2.5±0.4)×10 −10 for N,N-dimethylacetamide. The results are presented and discussed in terms of structure–activity relationships and the atmospheric impact of the amides.