Ammonium carbonate
Ammonium carbonate, (NH₄)₂CO₃, is an inorganic salt that readily releases ammonia and carbon dioxide when heated or exposed to moisture.
Ammonium bicarbonate: Ammonium bicarbonate, NH₄HCO₃, is a salt that decomposes into ammonia, carbon dioxide, and water. It is a related ammonium salt and can form as ammonium carbonate reacts with carbon dioxide and water.
Baker's ammonia: Baker's ammonia is a leavening agent, chiefly ammonium bicarbonate, that releases gases during baking. Ammonium carbonate has been sold under this name and used to leaven thin, dry baked goods.
Ammonium ion: The ammonium ion, NH₄⁺, is the positively charged polyatomic ion formed when ammonia accepts a proton. Two ammonium ions balance the charge of one carbonate ion in the salt's formula.
Ammonium chloride: Ammonium chloride, NH₄Cl, is a crystalline salt of ammonium and chloride ions. Unlike ammonium carbonate, it is a noncarbonate salt that does not release carbon dioxide on decomposition.
Ammonia: Ammonia, NH₃, is a pungent, colorless gas composed of nitrogen and hydrogen. Its release during decomposition gives ammonium carbonate its sharp odor.
Leavening agent: A leavening agent produces gas that expands dough or batter during cooking. Ammonium carbonate releases gases that create porosity in baked products.
Carbonate ion: The carbonate ion, CO₃²⁻, is a negatively charged polyatomic ion containing one carbon and three oxygen atoms. Its double negative charge determines the two-to-one ratio of ammonium ions in ammonium carbonate.
Sodium carbonate: Sodium carbonate, Na₂CO₃, is a stable ionic salt used in glassmaking, cleaning, and water treatment. It shares the carbonate ion but lacks ammonium's volatile, heat-sensitive cation.
Carbon dioxide: Carbon dioxide, CO₂, is a colorless gas produced by respiration, combustion, and many chemical reactions. It is released alongside ammonia when ammonium carbonate decomposes.
Ammonium carbonate smelling salts: Ammonium carbonate smelling salts are preparations that release pungent ammonia vapor when opened or moistened. The salt's ammonia release underlies its traditional use in smelling-salt preparations.