Hydroxylamine reacts with electrophiles, such as alkylating agents, which can attach to either the oxygen or the nitrogen atoms:
The reaction of  with an aldehyde or ketone produces an oxime.
: (in NaOH solution)
This reaction is useful in the purification of ketones and aldehydes: if hydroxylamine is added to an aldehyde or ketone in solution, an oxime forms, which generally precipitates from solution; heating the precipitate with an inorganic acid then restores the original aldehyde or ketone.
Oximes such as dimethylglyoxime are also employed as ligands.
 reacts with chlorosulfonic acid to give hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid:
When heated, hydroxylamine explodes.  A detonator can easily explode aqueous solutions concentrated above 80% by weight, and even 50% solution might prove detonable if tested in bulk.  In air, the combustion is rapid and complete:
Absent air, pure hydroxylamine requires stronger heating and the detonation does not complete combustion:
Partial isomerisation to the amine oxide  contributes to the high reactivity.