Chloramines


Chloramines refer to derivatives of ammonia and organic amines wherein one or more N-H bonds have been replaced by N-Cl bonds. Two classes of compounds are considered: inorganic chloramines and organic chloramines.

Inorganic chloramines

Inorganic chloramines comprise three compounds: monochloramine, dichloramine, and nitrogen trichloride. Monochloramine is of broad significance as a disinfectant for water.

Organic chloramines

A variety of organic chloramines are useful in organic synthesis. Examples include N-chloromorpholine, N-chloropiperidine, and N-chloroquinuclidinium chloride.
Chloramines are commonly produced by the action of bleach on secondary amines:
Tert-Butyl hypochlorite is often used instead of bleach:

Swimming pools

Chloramines also refers to any chloramine formed by chlorine reacting with ammonia introduced into swimming pools by human perspiration, saliva, mucus, urine, and other biologic substances, and by insects and other pests. Chloramines are responsible for the "chlorine smell" of pools, as well as skin and eye irritation. These problems are the result of insufficient levels of free available chlorine, and indicate a pool that must be "shocked" by the addition of 5-10 times the normal amount of chlorine.