Difference between revisions of "Ammonium sulfate" - New World Encyclopedia
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== Properties == | == Properties == | ||
− | [[Ammonium]] [[sulfate]] is a salt of [[ammonia]] and [[sulfuric acid]], and its chemical formula is (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>. It is not soluble in [[alcohol]] or liquid | + | [[Ammonium]] [[sulfate]] is a salt of [[ammonia]] and [[sulfuric acid]], and its chemical formula is (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>. It is not soluble in [[alcohol]] or liquid ammonia. It is slightly [[hygroscopic]], absorbing water from the air at [[relative humidity]] above 81 percent (at about 20 °C). |
== Synthesis == | == Synthesis == | ||
− | Ammonium sulfate is prepared commercially by reacting [[ammonia]] with [[sulfuric acid]] (H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>). Ammonium sulfate is prepared commercially from the ammoniacal liquor of [[gasification|gas-works]] and is purified by recrystallization. It forms large, [[rhombic]] prisms, has a somewhat saline taste and is easily soluble in water. The aqueous solution on boiling loses some | + | Ammonium sulfate is prepared commercially by reacting [[ammonia]] with [[sulfuric acid]] (H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>). Ammonium sulfate is prepared commercially from the ammoniacal liquor of [[gasification|gas-works]] and is purified by recrystallization. It forms large, [[rhombic]] prisms, has a somewhat saline taste and is easily soluble in water. The aqueous solution on boiling loses some ammonia and forms an acid sulfate. |
== Uses == | == Uses == |
Revision as of 15:43, 9 October 2008
Ammonium sulfate | |
---|---|
IUPAC name | Ammonium sulfate |
Other names | ammonium sulfate (2:1); diammonium sulfate; sulfuric acid diammonium salt; mascagnite; Actamaster; Dolamin |
Identifiers | |
CAS number | [ | ]
SMILES | [O-]S([O-])(=O)=O.[NH4+].[NH4+] |
Properties | |
Molecular formula | (NH4)2SO4 |
Molar mass | 132.14 g/mol |
Appearance | Fine white hygroscopic granules or crystals. |
Density | 1.77 g/cm³ @ 50 °C (122 °F) |
Melting point |
235-280 °C, 508-553 K, 455-536 °F (decomposes) |
Solubility in water | 70.6 g/100 mL (0 °C) and 103.8 g/100 mL (100 °C)[1] |
Critical relative humidity | 79.2% at 30 °C |
Related Compounds | |
Related compounds | Ammonium iron sulfate |
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) |
Ammonium sulfate is an inorganic chemical compound commonly used as a fertilizer. It contains 21 percent nitrogen in the form of ammonium ions and 24 percent sulfur as sulfate ions.
Occurrence in nature
Ammonium sulfate occurs naturally as the rare mineral mascagnite in volcanic fumaroles and due to coal fires on some dumps.[2]
Properties
Ammonium sulfate is a salt of ammonia and sulfuric acid, and its chemical formula is (NH4)2SO4. It is not soluble in alcohol or liquid ammonia. It is slightly hygroscopic, absorbing water from the air at relative humidity above 81 percent (at about 20 °C).
Synthesis
Ammonium sulfate is prepared commercially by reacting ammonia with sulfuric acid (H2SO4). Ammonium sulfate is prepared commercially from the ammoniacal liquor of gas-works and is purified by recrystallization. It forms large, rhombic prisms, has a somewhat saline taste and is easily soluble in water. The aqueous solution on boiling loses some ammonia and forms an acid sulfate.
Uses
Ammonium sulfate is used largely as an artificial fertilizer for alkaline soils. In the soil the sulfate ion is released and forms sulfuric acid, lowering the pH balance of the soil (as do other sulfate compounds such as aluminum sulfate), while contributing essential nitrogen for plant growth.
It is also used as an agricultural spray adjuvant for water soluble insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. There it functions to bind iron and calcium cations that are present in both well water and plant cells. It is particularly effective as an adjuvant for 2,4-D (amine), glyphosate, and glufosinate herbicides.
It is also used in the preparation of other ammonium salts.
In biochemistry, ammonium sulfate precipitation is a common method for purifying proteins by precipitation. As such, ammonium sulfate is also listed as an ingredient in many vaccines used in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).[3]
Ammonium sulfate is also a food additive.[4]
See also
Notes
- ↑ Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
- ↑ Mascagnite. Mindat.org. Retrieved October 9, 2008.
- ↑ Vaccine Excipient & Media Summary, Part 2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved October 9, 2008.
- ↑ Lower-Carb Italian Herb Bread. panerabread.com. Retrieved October 9, 2008.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Brown Jr., Theodore L., H. Eugene LeMay, Bruce Edward Bursten, and Julia R. Burdge. 2002. Chemistry: The Central Science. 9th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. ISBN 0130669970.
- Chang, Raymond. 2006. Chemistry. 9th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math. ISBN 0073221031.
- Havlin, John L., Samuel L. Tisdale, James D. Beaton, and Werner L. Nelson. 2004. Soil Fertility and Fertilizers: An Introduction to Nutrient Management. 7th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. ISBN 0130278246.
- International Fertilizer Development Center, and United Nations Industrial Development Organization. 1998. Fertilizer Manual. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic. ISBN 0792350324.
- Moore, John W., Conrad L. Stanitski, and Peter C. Jurs. 2005. Chemistry: The Molecular Science. 2nd ed. Belmont, CA: Thompson Brooks/Cole. ISBN 9780534422011.
- Walters, Charles. 2003. Eco-farm: An Acres U.S.A. Primer. Austin, TX: Acres U.S.A. ISBN 0911311742.
External links
- Ammonium Sulfate (Precipitation) Calculator. EnCor Biotechnology Inc. Retrieved October 9, 2008.
- About Fertilizer. The Fertilizer Institute. Retrieved October 9, 2008.
- Chemical Profile: Ammonium Sulfate. Retrieved October 9, 2008.
- Ammonium Sulfate 21-0-0. Simplot. Retrieved October 9, 2008.
- Using Ammonium Sulfate Fertilizer as an Organic Mulch Fire Retardant (A Research Note). Urban Forestry South. Retrieved October 9, 2008.
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