Pyridinium chloride
# Pyridinium chloride

Pyridinium chloride is an organic chemical compound with a formula of $C_5H_5NHCl.$

## Preparation

Pyridinium chloride can be produced by passing hydrogen chloride in pyridine dissolved in diethyl ether. The chemical formula is as follows:

    ${\ce {C5H5N + HCl -> C5H6N+Cl- v}}$

## Acidity

Containing a pyridinium ion, pyridinium chloride has a $pK_a$ of approximately 5, slightly more acidic than that of typical amines. This is due to the hybridization of the nitrogen: the nitrogen is $sp^2$ hybridized and more electronegative than those nitrogens in ammonium cations, which are $sp^3$ hybridized. Hence they are stronger acids than amines and can be more easily deprotonated by bases.

