What is "chloramine"

n. (context chemistry English) any of a class of unstable compounds of nitrogen and chlorine R₁R₂NCl; also the parent compound NH₂Cl, used to manufacture hydrazine, and as the antiseptic chloramine-T

n. any of several compounds containing chlorine and nitrogen; used as an antiseptic in wounds [syn: chloramine-T]

Chloramines are derivatives of ammonia by substitution of one, two or three hydrogen atoms with chlorine atoms: monochloramine (chloroamine, NHCl), dichloramine (NHCl), and nitrogen trichloride (NCl). The term chloramine also refers to a family of organic compounds with the formulas RNCl and RNCl (R is an organic group).

Monochloramine (chloramine) is an inorganic compound with the formula NHCl. It is an unstable colorless liquid at its melting point of −66 °C, but it is usually handled as a dilute aqueous solution, in which form it is sometimes used as a disinfectant.