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

It was printed on the package: ammonium carbonate, also known as smelling salts.

From New York Times

He says plant officials reported a spill of ammonium carbonate into Gravelly Run on Tuesday afternoon.

From Washington Times

The carbon-rich solution, meanwhile, is treated in a separate vessel to release its burden of CO, which can then be piped away and stored, and the amines or ammonium carbonate thus liberated recycled.

From Economist

In severe cases with frequent and rapid pulse, in which ante-mortem heart-clots are apt to occur, the ammonium carbonate is often useful.

From Project Gutenberg

The reagents in common use are acetic acid; magnesium chloride, used for a glue employed by printers; hydrochloric acid and zinc sulphate; nitric acid and lead sulphate; and phosphoric acid and ammonium carbonate.

From Project Gutenberg