ammonium carbonate

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a water-soluble mixture of ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium carbamate, occurring either as a white powder or in colorless, hard, crystalline masses: used chiefly in the manufacture of smelling salts and baking powder.

ammonium carbonate

noun

1. an unstable pungent soluble white powder that is a double salt of ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium carbamate: used in the manufacture of baking powder, smelling salts, and ammonium compounds. Formula: (NH 4 )HCO 3 .(NH 4 )CO 2 NH 2
2. an unstable substance that is produced by treating this compound with ammonia. Formula: (NH 4 ) 2 CO 3

Word History and Origins

Origin of ammonium carbonate¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

The liquor is poured off into a warm strong solution of ammonium carbonate.

From Project Gutenberg

Ammonium carbonate is added to the filtrate; this precipitates calcium, strontium and 63 barium.

From Project Gutenberg

Potassium iodid, alkaline agents such as ammonium carbonate and potassium carbonate, have been administered.

From Project Gutenberg

It is then dissolved in a small quantity of alcohol and water, refiltered, and the filtrate decomposed with ammonium carbonate.

From Project Gutenberg

The second: a fifteen per cent solution of ammonium carbonate in water.

From Project Gutenberg