What should chlorine be combined with to form chloramine?

Chloramine is formed when chlorine reacts with ammonia. This process is commonly used in water treatment as a disinfectant because it helps to provide longer-lasting residual disinfection compared to free chlorine alone. The reaction between chlorine and ammonia can lead to the formation of various types of chloramines, including monochloramine, which is particularly effective at inactivating certain pathogens while being less reactive and potentially harmful than other disinfectants.

The combination of chlorine and ammonia creates a stable compound that is effective in maintaining water quality and is less likely to produce harmful by-products that may arise from the use of free chlorine alone. Thus, using ammonia in conjunction with chlorine is the preferred method for generating chloramines in water treatment processes for public health and safety.