Ammonium acetate serves as the primary precursor to acetamide, an organic chemical compound whose systematic IUPAC name corresponds to ethanamide. Ammonium acetate is also widely used as a diuretic. Since it is the salt of a weak base and a weak acid, this compound, often in combination with acetic acid, is widely used in the preparation of buffer solutions (solutions that resist a change in pH when subjected to acidic or alkaline reagents). Ammonium acetate is also used as a de-icing agent. Owing to its biodegradable qualities, this compound, when used in de-icing agents, is considered by many to be environment friendly. It can be noted that this compound is also used as a catalyst in several named reactions in organic chemistry. Some such examples include the Borch reaction and the Knoevenagel condensation.