Ammonium Acetate is a chemical compound that appears in the form of a white crystalline solid with a slight acetous odor. The Hydrogen atom in Acetic acid was replaced by an Ammonium ion. Most commonly used as a food acidity regulator, also used in dialysis processes, and used as a reagent in agricultural products and it is not harmful with less exposure. If highly exposed to Ammonium Acetate it will cause irritation to the whole body. Ammonium Acetate consists of Carbon, Nitrogen, Hydrogen, and Oxygen atoms. One carbon atom is linked to 3 Hydrogen atoms and another carbon atom that linked to 2 oxygen atoms, one with a double bond and one with a single bond. Single bond linked oxygen atom again linked to Nitrogen have 4 hydrogen atoms. Ammonium acetate is also called as Spirit of mindererus.
Ammonium Acetate
Ammonium Acetate is a chemical compound that contains a weak acid and weak base, so it can be used as a buffering agent along with Acetic acid. Ammonium Acetate contains 2 carbons, 7 hydrogens, 1 Nitrogen, and 2 Oxygen atoms. The Hydrogen atom in the Acetic acid was replaced by an Ammonium ion. Finally, it gives Ammonium acetate. And it is a precursor of Acetamide which is used as a diuretic. On further heating, it will be converted into Acetonitrile (Methyl cyanide).
Ammonium Acetate Formula
The chemical formula for ammonium acetate C2H7NO2. Other names are the spirit of Mindererus, Ammonium ethanoate, Azanium acetate
Structure of Ammonium Acetate
Ammonium acetate contains 2 Carbon atoms, 7 Hydrogen atoms, 1 Nitrogen atom, and 2 Oxygen atoms. The chemical formula of Ammonium acetate is C2H7NO2. In the acetic acid one Hydrogen atom was replaced by an ammonium ion. The IUPAC name of Ammonium Acetate is Ammonium Ethanoate.
Physical properties of Ammonium Acetate
- Ammonium acetate is a crystalline white solid (deliquescent) with a slight acetous odor.
- The density of Ammonium acetate is 1.17 g.cm3 at 20°C.
- The Melting point of Ammonium acetate is 113°C (or) 235°F.
- The solubility of Ammonium acetate in water is 102g/100ml at 0°C.
- The Molar mass of Ammonium acetate is 77.083 g/mol.
Chemical properties of Ammonium Acetate
- Ammonium acetate is a precursor of acetamide and it is used as a diuretic. On further heating, the Acetamide will convert into Acetonitrile (Methyl Cyanide).
- Commonly Ammonium acetate is used only in the preparation or synthesis of Acetamide.
NH4CH3CO2 ⇢ CH3C(O)NH2 + H2O
Preparation of Ammonium Acetate
- Ammonium acetate is prepared by reacting Glacial Acetic acid with Ammonia.
CH3COOH + NH3 ⇢ CH3COONH4
- Ammonium acetate is prepared by neutralizing Acetic acid with Ammonium Carbonate.
2CH3COOH + [NH4]2CO3 ⇢ 2CH3COONH4 + H2CO3
H2CO3 ⇢ CO2 + H2O
Uses of Ammonium Acetate
- Ammonium Acetate is used as food acidity regulator.
- Ammonium Acetate is used in agricultural products.
- Ammonium Acetate is used as a reagent in dialysis processes to eliminate the contaminants.
- Ammonium Acetate is used for preservation of food items.
- Ammonium Acetate is used as a reagent in determining soil cation exchange capacity.
- Ammonium Acetate is used in the making of foam rubber process.
- Ammonium Acetate is used as a catalyst in the Knoevenagel condensation procedure.
- Ammonium Acetate is used to prepare buffer solutions.
- Ammonium Acetate is used in manufacturing of vinyl plastics.
Sample Questions
Question 1: Is Ammonium acetate dangerous?
Answer:
In general Ammonium acetate is not dangerous, but in some cases, higher exposure or inhalation of Ammonium acetate may causes irritation in the mouth and nose as highly as respiratory tract irritation. Swallowing may causes stomach irritation If the skin is highly exposed to Ammonium acetate it causes skin irritation and eyes irritation.
Question 2: How Ammonium acetate is used as a buffering agent?
Answer:
Ammonium acetate is a mixture of both weak acid and weak base, so we can make a buffer solution by using this Ammonium acetate along with acetic acid to control the pH.
Question 3: Which indicator is used in Ammonium Acetate solution?
Answer:
The Ammonium Acetate buffer in water is used, If Formic acid is used to adjust the pH used for separation should be pH 3.8 to 5.8. If Ammonia is used to adjust the pH used for separation should be pH 8.5 to 10.5
Question 4: What happens when Ammonium Acetate is heated?
Answer:
The Ammonium acetate decomposes at higher temperatures (Above 165°C) and forms Acetamide when heating, On further heating the Acetamide converts into Acetonitrale also called methyl cyanide.
Question 5: What are the other names of Ammonium acetate?
Answer:
Other names of Ammonium acetate are,
- Spirit of Mindererus,
- Ammonium ethanoate,
- Azanium acetate.
Question 6: What is the use of Ammonium acetate in the experiment?
Answer:
Commonly Ammonium Acetate is used as Buffer, Ammonium acetate is a combination of a weak acid and weak base, commonly used in the preparation of buffer solutions along with Acetic acid. Ammonium acetate is used to replace the cell buffers that contain the nonvolatile salts in the preparation of samples for spectroscopy or mass spectroscopy.
Question 7: How should Ammonium Acetate be stored?
Answer:
The Ammonium acetate can be stored in a well-closed container with a tight lid, stored in a cool and dry place, and kept in a well-ventilated area. Store in a protected area from moisture and keep away from incompatible substances. Ammonium acetate may burn in critical conditions. Use Dry chemicals, water spray, or foam as extinguishers. The nitrogen oxides and ammonia release poisonous gases.