Ammonium chloride

Ammonium chloride (pronunciation: /əˈmoʊniəm ˈklɔːraɪd/) is an inorganic compound with the formula NH4Cl and a white crystalline salt that is highly soluble in water.

Etymology

The term "Ammonium" is derived from Ammonia, which itself is named for the Roman god of fertility, Ammon, as ammonium chloride was used in the ancient Roman Empire as a fertility agent. The term "chloride" comes from "chloros", the Greek word for green, referring to the color of the gas from which it was first isolated.

Chemistry

Ammonium chloride is a product of the reaction between hydrochloric acid and ammonia. It is a strong electrolyte, ionizing completely in water to give ammonium ions (NH4+) and chloride ions (Cl-). It is used as a buffer solution in the laboratory because it forms a buffer solution at a pH of 9.25.

Medical Uses

In medicine, ammonium chloride is used as an expectorant in cough medicine. It works by decreasing the thickness of mucus in the airways, allowing patients to cough up the mucus and clear their airways. It is also used as a urinary acidifier to treat and prevent certain metabolic problems (such as kidney stones).

Related Terms

• Ammonia
• Hydrochloric acid
• Ammonium ion
• Chloride ion
• Buffer solution
• Kidney stones

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Ammonium chloride
• Wikipedia's article - Ammonium chloride

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