Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

name         Eugene M.
status       other
age          40s

Question -   I was reading an old story (1881) about iodide of nitrogen and it talked about some chemical that was referred to as `hartshon`. Has anybody heard of it if so does anyone know what it is?
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Eugene,

The word is "hartshorn.: It is a source of nitrogen -- rarely used in making explosives. It is 
also known as ammonium bicarbonate, a leavening agent that releases carbon dioxide gas when 
heated. As such, it was a precursor of today's baking powder and baking soda. Its historical 
name is "hartshorn," carbonate of ammonia or powdered baking ammonia.

Regards,
ProfHoff 65
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Hartshon is ammonium hydrogen carbonate. It used to be used in baking. I found the hit on 
www.google.com
        "Ammonia powder is ammonium bicarbonate, a leavening agent that is a precursor of 
		today's baking powder and baking soda; it must be ground to a powder before using. It is 
		also known as hartshorn, carbonate of ammonia or powdered baking ammonia. It is still 
		called for in some recipes especially for cookies.
        I would suggest substituting an equal amount of double acting baking powder for the 
		powdered ammonia (hartshorn) in a recipe.  (Your kitchen would stink of ammonia while 
		the cookies baked, but the cookies would not taste or smell of ammonia.)."
		
Vince Calder
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