The word "ammonioformaldehyde" is a chemical compound consisting of ammonia and formaldehyde. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) as: əˌmoʊnioʊˌfɔːrməlˈdehaɪd. This includes the schwa sound (ə) at the beginning, followed by an o sound (ˌmoʊnioʊ), then a stressed long o sound (ˌfɔːrməl), and a stressed long i sound (ˈdehaɪd). The use of IPA can help to accurately convey the pronunciation of complex words like ammonioformaldehyde in text.
Ammonioformaldehyde is a chemical compound composed of ammonia (NH3) and formaldehyde (HCHO). It is commonly known as hexamethylenetetramine or methenamine. The compound is produced through the reaction between formaldehyde and ammonia under specific conditions. Ammonioformaldehyde appears as a white crystalline substance with a characteristic odor similar to that of ammonia.
In terms of its chemical properties, ammonioformaldehyde is classified as an organic compound and exhibits high stability. It is easily soluble in water, alcohol, and other polar solvents.
Ammonioformaldehyde finds various applications across different industries. It is primarily used as a starting material for the production of other chemicals such as resins, explosives, rubber products, and pharmaceuticals. It acts as a crosslinking agent, helping to enhance the physical properties of polymers and improve their resistance to wear, heat, and chemicals.
In the medical field, ammonioformaldehyde is utilized as an antiseptic and a component in urinary tract antiseptic formulations. The compound is known for its antibacterial properties and its ability to suppress the growth of certain microorganisms.
Furthermore, ammonioformaldehyde is also employed as a fuel in solid rocket propellants and as a reagent in analytical chemistry. It undergoes decomposition upon heating, releasing formaldehyde as a byproduct. This characteristic makes it a useful source of formaldehyde in various laboratory reactions and processes.
Overall, ammonioformaldehyde is a versatile and essential compound with significant applications in chemical synthesis, pharmaceuticals, and materials science.
Hexamethylenamina.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "ammonioformaldehyde" is composed of two main components: "ammonio-" and "formaldehyde".
The term "ammonio-" is derived from "ammonium", referring to the positive ion NH₄⁺, which is derived from ammonia (NH₃) by adding a hydrogen ion (H⁺). "Ammonium" was named after the Egyptian temple of Ammon, dedicated to the god Amun.
"Formaldehyde", on the other hand, originates from the combination of two words: "formic" and "aldehyde". "Formic" comes from the Latin word "formica", meaning "ant", as formic acid was first isolated from the body of red ants.