What compounds are formed when chlorine is added to ammonia?

When chlorine is added to ammonia, the main reaction products are chloramines. Chloramines are a group of compounds that form when chlorine combines with ammonia (NH3) during disinfection processes. This reaction involves the chlorine reacting with the nitrogen-containing compound ammonia to create various chloramine species, including monochloramine (NH2Cl), dichloramine (NHCl2), and trichloramine (NCl3). These chloramines are used as disinfectants in water treatment because they are more stable than free chlorine and have a longer-lasting residual effect in water distribution systems.

The formation of chloramines is particularly important in water treatment because it can help manage tastes and odors, as well as reduce the production of harmful disinfection byproducts that can arise when using chlorine alone. Their properties and effectiveness make chloramines a preferred choice in certain circumstances, especially in systems that require a prolonged disinfection residual.

Other options such as chlorine gas, hypochlorite, and chlorine dioxide do not form directly from the interaction of chlorine and ammonia. Chlorine gas is the elemental form of chlorine itself, while hypochlorite is an oxidized form of chlorine typically produced in chlorination processes, and chlorine dioxide is a separate compound used in disinfection that is