Hydrochloride
In chemistry, a hydrochloride is an acid salt resulting, or regarded as resulting, from the reaction of hydrochloric acid with an organic base (e.g. an amine). An alternative name is chlorhydrate, which comes from French. An archaic alternative name is muriate, derived from hydrochloric acid's ancient name: muriatic acid.
Uses[]
Converting insoluble amines into hydrochlorides is a common way to make them water soluble. This characteristic is particularly desirable for substances used in medications.[1] The European Pharmacopoeia lists more than 200 hydrochlorides as active ingredients in medications.[2] These hydrochlorides, compared to free bases, may more readily dissolve in the gastrointestinal tract and be able to be absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly. In addition, many hydrochlorides of amines have a longer shelf-life than their respective free bases.
See also[]
- Chloride, inorganic salts of hydrochloric acid
- Free base (chemistry)
- Quaternary ammonium cation
References[]
- ^ Stahl, P. Heinrich; Wermuth, Camille G., eds. (2011). Pharmaceutical Salts: Properties, Selection, and Use (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-3-90639-051-2.
- ^ European Pharmacopoeia 7th Edition 2011, EDQM.
- Acid salts
- Organochlorides
- Salts