What is Ammoniation?

Ammoniation is a chemical reaction in which an amine group (-NH2) is added to a molecule. This can be done by reacting the molecule with ammonia (NH3) or an ammonium salt (such as NH4+) in a process called ammonolysis. The resulting compound is called an ammonium salt or an ammonio salt.

Ammoniation is an important reaction in organic chemistry and is used to introduce the -NH2 group into a molecule for various purposes, such as:

1. To make the molecule more polar and soluble in water.
2. To introduce a basic functional group that can react with acids to form salts.
3. To create a stable intermediate in a chemical reaction.
4. To add a counterion to a positively charged species, such as a quaternary ammonium ion.

Examples of ammoniated compounds include:

1. Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) - an ammonium salt formed by reacting ammonia with hydrochloric acid.
2. Dimethylamine (CH3)2NH2 - an ammonium salt formed by reacting methylamine with ammonia.
3. Tetramethylguanidine (CH3)4N+H2 - an ammonium salt formed by reacting tetramethylguanidinium ion with ammonia.
4. Quaternary ammonium salts, such as tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC) - an ammonium salt formed by reacting a quaternary ammonium ion with hydrochloric acid.

In summary, ammoniation is the process of adding an amine group (-NH2) to a molecule, resulting in the formation of an ammonium salt or an ammonio salt. This reaction is important in organic chemistry and is used to introduce the -NH2 group into a molecule for various purposes.