Ammonia (NH₃)
Other Names
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Anhydrous Ammonia
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Ammonium Hydride (rare)
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Spirit of Hartshorn (historical)
CAS Number: 7664-41-7
Chemical Formula: NH₃
Molecular Weight: 17.03 g/mol
📘 1. Definition
Ammonia is a colorless gas with a pungent odor. It is highly soluble in water, forming aqueous ammonia (NH₄OH). Ammonia is a key industrial chemical used as a fertilizer, refrigerant, chemical feedstock, and cleaning agent. It is highly reactive and participates in various chemical syntheses.
🧪 2. Physical & Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colorless gas |
| Odor | Pungent, characteristic ammonia smell |
| Boiling Point | –33.34 °C |
| Melting Point | –77.73 °C |
| Density (gas, 0 °C) | 0.73 kg/m³ |
| Solubility in water | Highly soluble (~700 g/L at 0 °C) |
| pH (1 M solution) | ~11.6 (basic) |
| Stability | Stable under normal conditions; reacts violently with acids, halogens, and oxidizers |
| Flammability | Flammable at 15–28% in air |
🧰 3. Applications / Uses
| Industry | Applications |
|---|---|
| Agriculture | Fertilizer production (urea, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate) |
| Chemical Industry | Feedstock for nitric acid, ammonium salts, explosives, plastics, and pharmaceuticals |
| Refrigeration | Industrial refrigerant (NH₃ vapor-compression systems) |
| Water Treatment | pH control, chloramine production for disinfection |
| Cleaning & Household | Ammonium hydroxide solution for cleaning, degreasing, and stain removal |
| Textile & Paper | Fiber treatment, pH adjustment, bleaching agent in pulp processing |
| Laboratory | Reagent for qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses |
⚠️ 4. Safety & Handling
| Hazard | Details |
|---|---|
| Toxicity | Corrosive to eyes, skin, and respiratory tract |
| Inhalation | Can cause coughing, irritation, and pulmonary edema at high concentrations |
| Fire | Flammable in air at 15–28% concentration; reacts violently with chlorine, bromine, and oxidizers |
| PPE | Gloves, goggles, face shield, and respirator recommended |
| Storage | Store in well-ventilated, cool, dry area in suitable cylinders or tanks |
| Handling | Avoid inhalation, ensure proper ventilation, use gas detectors |
📌 5. Summary
Ammonia (NH₃) is a versatile industrial gas and chemical feedstock. It is essential in fertilizer production, refrigeration, water treatment, and chemical manufacturing. Ammonia must be handled with care due to its toxicity, corrosiveness, and flammability, but it remains one of the most widely used chemicals in the world.
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