chloraminesnitrogenhalogen

Chloramines are nitrogen-chlorine compounds formed when chlorine reacts with ammonia or ammonium. The main members are monochloramine (NH2Cl), dichloramine (NHCl2), and nitrogen trichloride (NCl3). They vary in the number of chlorine substitutions on the ammonia skeleton and differ in stability and volatility. In water treatment, chloramines are often produced deliberately as disinfectants because they persist longer than free chlorine and form fewer certain disinfection by-products, though their odor and taste can be noticeable.

Formation and hazards: Chloramines form in water systems when chlorine is added to ammonia-containing water. Monochloramine is the principal disinfectant at many plants; higher chlorine-to-ammonia ratios can yield dichloramine and trichloramine, with trichloramine being particularly irritant and, in some forms, explosive (nitrogen trichloride). Handling and ventilation are important to minimize exposure, and proper water chemistry controls the relative amounts of each species.

Nitrogen-halogen concepts: The term nitrogen halogen also refers to compounds in which nitrogen bonds to halogens beyond chlorine, such as nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), nitrogen trichloride (NCl3), and nitrogen triiodide (NI3). NF3 is a stable industrial gas used in electronics; NCl3 and NI3 are highly reactive and potentially explosive, requiring careful handling. Chloramines sit within this broader family as N–Cl compounds derived from ammonia, but they are typically discussed in the context of water chemistry and disinfection rather than explosive materials.