ammonium carbonate

American  

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.

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ammonium carbonate British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of ammonium carbonate

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

A dozen cleaning agents were proposed before the restorers settled on a solution of distilled water and 25% ammonium carbonate.

From Time Magazine Archive

Alternatively, though usually less effectively, you could add some ammonium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate to the container.

From Practical Taxidermy A manual of instruction to the amateur in collecting, preserving, and setting up natural history specimens of all kinds. To which is added a chapter upon the pictorial arrangement of museums. With additional instructions in modelling and artistic taxidermy. by Browne, Montagu

Fermentation, ammonium carbonate formed during, 245; in bones, 365; heat of, 79; of farmyard manure, 253; of guano, 299; temperature of, 256.

From Manures and the principles of manuring by Aikman, Charles Morton

Formerly the washing was effected in stale urine, which owed its detergent properties mainly to the presence of ammonium carbonate.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 1 "Bisharin" to "Bohea" by Various

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

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 455, September 20, 1884 by Various