ammonium hydroxide

Chem.

a basic compound, NH₄OH, existing only in solution, formed by dissolving ammonia gas in water. Cf. ammonia.

[1900-05]

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▪ chemical compound

also called  Aqua Ammonia,  

      solution of ammonia gas in water, a common commercial form of ammonia. It is a colourless liquid with a strong characteristic odour. In concentrated form, ammonium hydroxide can cause burns on contact with the skin; ordinary household ammonia, used as a cleanser, is dilute ammonium hydroxide.

      The water solution is generally represented by the formula NH₄OH, though no appreciable amount of the molecular species NH₄OH is present: the solution consists primarily of large quantities of water (H₂O) and ammonia (NH₃) and smaller quantities of ammonium ion, NH⁺₄ , and hydroxide ion, OH^-.

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