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Ammonium sulfate
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ammonium sulfate | |
|---|---|
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| 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) Infobox disclaimer and references |
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Ammonium sulphate, ((NH4)2SO4), is an inorganic chemical compound commonly used as a fertilizer. It contains 21% nitrogen as ammonia and 24% sulphur as sulphate. Its molecular formula is closely related to salt an ammonium sulphate analogue with an iron atom within the compound.
Contents |
Ammonium sulphate is not soluble in alcohol or liquid ammonia. The compound is slightly hygroscopic and absorbs water from the air at relative humidity > 81% (at ca. 20°C).
Ammonium sulphate is prepared commercially by reacting ammonia with sulfuric acid (H2SO4). Ammonium sulphate is prepared commercially from the ammoniacal liquor of gas-works and is purified by recrystallisation. 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 sulphate.
It 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 aluminium sulphate), 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.
Ammonium Sulfate is also listed as an ingredient for many United States vaccines per the Center for Disease Control. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf
Ammonium Sulfate is also a food additive. http://www.panerabread.com/menu/nutrition/profile.php?id=17
ammonium sulfate is used to quickly put a patina on copper surfaces.
- Properties: UNIDO and International Fertilizer Development Center (1998), Fertilizer Manual, Kluwer Academic Publishers, ISBN 0-7923-5032-4.