Ammonium
NH₄⁺
Ammonium (NH4+) is a cation that is formed by the removal of one hydrogen ion from ammonia (NH3) due to the donation of a hydrogen ion (H+) from an acid. It is commonly found in many chemical processes involving nitrogen and is an important compound in fertilizers, as it provides plants with a source of nitrogen essential for growth.
In solution, ammonium ion can act as both an acid and a base. It can donate a hydrogen ion to an acceptor molecule or accept a hydrogen ion from a donor molecule. This property of ammonium makes it useful in various applications, such as buffer solutions and as a component in chemical synthesis.
Ammonium ions can react with hydroxide (OH-) ions to form ammonia gas (NH3) and water (H2O). This reaction is often used in the production of household cleaning products and as a method for removing unwanted ammonium ions from wastewater.
Overall, ammonium is a versatile compound with many important applications in various industries including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and chemical manufacturing.
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