Ammonium Chloride – NH4Cl

Ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) is a versatile inorganic compound with a wide range of applications. It is produced through the reaction of ammonia (NH₃) with hydrochloric acid (HCl). This gives it a unique combination of nitrogen from the ammonia and chlorine from the hydrochloric acid.

Let’s learn about Ammonium Chloride in detail, including its formula, structure, properties and uses.

Ammonium Chloride Formula

The chemical formula of Ammonium Chloride is NH₄Cl. It is also known as sal ammoniac, the salt of ammonia and hydrogen chloride.

It is a by-product of sodium carbonate and also has both diuretic and expectorant effects. it appears as a crystalline salt.

Structure of NH₄Cl

Ammonium chloride consists of ammonium cations (NH⁴⁺) and chloride anions (Cl^–) arranged in a crystalline lattice structure. This ionic compound exhibits a cubic crystal system, where the ions are held together through strong ionic bonds.

Ammonium Chloride

Properties of Ammonium Chloride (NH₄Cl)

Properties	Value
Chemical formula	NH4Cl
Molar mass	53.491 g/mol
Color	ODOURLESS
Density	1.53 g/cm³
Melting point	338°C
Boiling point	520°C
Solubility	Highly soluble in water

Preparation of Ammonium Chloride (NH₄Cl)

Ammonium chloride is prepared by reaction of ammonia (NH3) with hydrogen chloride.

NH₃ + HCl → NH₄Cl

This is also formed as the by-product of the Solvay process. In this process carbon dioxide and ammonia are passed into a cold saturated solution of sodium chloride.

CO₂ + 2 NH₃ + 2NaCl + H₂O → 2 NH₄Cl + Na₂CO₃ 

Chemical Properties of Ammonium Chloride (NH₄Cl)

• At the time of decomposition, Ammonium Chloride produces ammonia gas and hydrogen chloride.

NH₄Cl → NH₃ + HCl

• It also reacts with sodium hydroxide to produce ammonia gas.

NH₄Cl + NaOH → NH₃ + NaCl + H₂O

• To produce sodium chloride and ammonia gas Ammonium chloride also reacts with sodium carbonate .

2 NH₄Cl + Na₂CO₃ → 2 NaCl + CO₂ + H₂O + 2 NH₃

Uses of Ammonium Chloride

Here is a list of uses of Ammonium Chloride :

• Ammonium Chloride is used in fertilizers as a nitrogen source and is highly used in the crops of rice and wheat.
• It is used in medicine as an expectorant, especially in cough medicine. It is useful to reduce nausea and vomiting. It is also useful in the test to diagnose distal renal tubular acidosis too.
• It is used in glue which helps to bond plywood.
• In aqueous solutions. It is used in Leclanche cells
• It is used in food additives in bread making as a yeast nutrient. Salmiak is a dark sweet in which Ammonium chloride is used to spice up.
• It is used as an acidifier.
• It is used in cooling baths to create low temperatures.
• It is used as buffer solutions along with ammonia.
• It is given to cattle as feed supplements.

FAQs on Ammonium Chloride

What is the Chemical Formula of Ammonium Chloride?

Ammonium Chloride is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula of NH₄Cl . 

What is Molar Mass of Ammonium Chloride?

The molar mass of Ammonium Chloride (NH4Cl) is 53.49 g/mol.

What are the Uses of Ammonium Chloride?

Here are some uses of Ammonium Chloride :

• Ammonium chloride is used as a nitrogen source in fertilizers, promoting plant growth.
• It serves as an expectorant in cough medicine to help loosen mucus and ease congestion.
• Employed in metalwork, particularly in the soldering and tinning of metals, acting as a flux to clean surfaces.
• As a food additive (E510), it is used in some types of licorice and in leavening agents.
• Utilized in laboratories for various reactions and as a buffer solution.
• BaInvolved in the manufacturing of dry cell batteries as an electrolyte.

How is Ammonium Chloride prepared?

Ammonium chloride is prepared by reaction of ammonia (NH3) with hydrogen chloride.

NH₃ + HCl → NH4Cl

This is also formed as the by product of solvay process .In this process carbon dioxide and ammonia are passed into a cold saturated solution of sodium chloride.

CO₂ + 2 NH₃ + 2 NaCl + H₂O → 2 NH₄Cl + Na₂CO₃ 

Is Ammonium Chloride Acid or Base?

Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) is an acid when dissolved in water. It forms a solution that is slightly acidic because it dissociates to produce ammonium ions (NH4+) and chloride ions (Cl-), and the ammonium ion hydrolyzes to produce hydronium ions (H3O+), making the solution acidic.

What is the pH of Ammonium Chloride?

The pH of a 1 M solution of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) is typically around 4.6 to 6.0, indicating it is slightly acidic.

What Happens when Ammonium Chloride is Heated?

When ammonium chloride is heated, It undergoes a decomposition reaction to yield ammonia and gaseous hydrogen chloride as the products. This process is also appear similar to sublimation processes, the change is chemical and not physical.

What are the Effects of Ammonium Chloride on health?

It is not full risk free as its high dose can lead to higher blood pressure s well as can cause irritation , nausea and headache . It can also cause serious eye discomfort.

Where is Ammonium Chloride found?

It is found in household products like shampoo, hair colour and bleach, body wash, facial cleanser, conditioner, hand wash, dishwash detergent as well as oil and salt. It is important for electrolytes .

What is the Effect of Ammonium Chloride and Bleach Mixture?

When we will mix ammonium chloride and bleach it will release chloramine gas and Chloramine gas is toxic in nature then the exposure of chloramine gas causes irritation of eyes, nose, throat and lungs.

What is the Use of Ammonia in Agriculture?

One of the main use of ammonia is its use in the agricultural industry as a fertilizer. Ammonia is waterless in nature (or sometimes by aqueous solutions or by ionic salts).

It is mixed with agricultural soils to increase nitrogen content in the soil and, also helpful in soil fertility which leads to higher crop yields and also of better crop quality. This compound is used for many important chemicals such as hydrazine and hydrogen cyanide.