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Ammonium Nitrite Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

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Ammonium Nitrite is a chemical compound that appears in the form of pale-yellow crystals and slowly decomposes to Nitrogen and Water and there is no odor. Most commonly used as a rodenticide, Agricultural pesticides, and preparation of Explosives. it is highly toxic to humans and aquatic animals. Ammonium Nitrite on heating will release toxic fumes of ammonia and nitrogen oxides. Ammonium nitrite consists of Nitrogen, Hydrogen, and Oxygen atoms. One Nitrogen bonded with 4 Hydrogens and this structure is called ammonia and has a positive charge and another nitrogen bonded with 2 Oxygens and this structure is called Nitrite and has a negative charge. Ammonium nitrate is an ammonium salt of nitrous acid.

Ammonium Nitrite

Ammonium Nitrite is a chemical compound that contains a weak base and strong acid and has 2 Nitrogen atoms, 4 Hydrogen atoms, and 2 Oxygen atoms.  Nitrous acid on reaction with Ammonium hydroxide to form Ammonium nitrite. It will decompose at room temperature. It is stable only at low pH and high-temperature levels. It is highly unstable so we are not using this in its purest form.

Ammonium Nitrite Formula

The chemical formula for ammonium nitrite is NH4NO2. Other names are Ammonium salt of nitrous acid.

Structure of Ammonium Nitrite

Ammonium Nitrite contains 2 Nitrogen atoms, 4 Hydrogen atoms, and 2 Oxygen atoms. The chemical formula of Ammonium Nitrite is NH4NO2. The IUPAC name of Ammonium Nitrate is Azanium nitrite.

 

Physical properties of Ammonium Nitrite

  • Ammonium Nitrite is a pale yellow crystal and slowly decomposes to Nitrogen and Water and there is no odor.
  • The density of Ammonium Nitrite is 1.69 g.cm3.
  • The Ammonium Nitrite decomposes at its Melting point.
  • The solubility of Ammonium Nitrite in water is 118.3g/100ml.
  • The Molar mass of Ammonium Nitrite is 64.04 g/mol.

Chemical properties of Ammonium Nitrite

  • Ammonium nitrite is not involving any chemical reactions. The only reaction is the decomposition of Ammonium nitrite.
  • Ammonium Nitrite undergoes decomposition and gives Nitrogen and Water at room temperature.

NH4NO2 ⇢ N2 + 2H2O

  • Ammonium Nitrite is stable only in some conditions that as higher pH and lower temperature, If the pH lowers than 7.0, leads to an explosion. To avoid this condition maintain a safe pH level by adding an Ammonia solution.

Preparation of Ammonium Nitrite

  • Ammonium Nitrite is prepared by absorption of equal parts of nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide in aqueous ammonia.
  • Ammonium Nitrite is prepared by oxidizing Ammonia with Ozone or Hydrogen Peroxide. 
  • Ammonium nitrite is prepared by a reaction of silver nitrite and Ammonium Chloride. It will give Ammonium Nitrite and Silver Chloride.

2AgNO2 + NH4Cl ⇢ NH4NO2 + 2AgCl

  • Ammonium nitrite is prepared by a reaction of Nitrous acid and Ammonium hydroxide. It will give Ammonium Nitrite and water.

HNO2 + NH4OH ⇢ NH4NO2 + H2O

Uses of Ammonium Nitrite

  • Ammonium Nitrite is used as Rodenticide.
  • Ammonium Nitrite is used in agricultural pesticides.
  • Ammonium Nitrite is used in the production of nitrogen gas.
  • Ammonium Nitrite is used in the preparation of Ammonium cobalt nitrite.
  • Ammonium Nitrite is used in the preparation of Explosives.
  • Ammonium Nitrite is used as a micro biocide.

Sample Questions

Question 1: Is Ammonium Nitrite dangerous?

Answer:

Generally, Ammonium Nitrite is highly toxic to humans and as well as aquatic animals. Ammonium nitrite decomposes into Nitrogen and water at room temperature itself. At high temperatures, it will release toxic fumes of ammonia and nitrogen oxides. If the pH of Ammonium Nitrate is lowered then the 7.0 leads to an explosion.

Question 2: Why Ammonium Nitrite is not heated directly?

Answer:

Ammonium Nitrite is on direct heating causing rapid explosion dissociation of ammonium nitrite. At higher temperatures, it will release toxic fumes of Ammonia and Nitrogen oxides. So, this is the reason for Ammonium Nitrite is not heated directly.

Question 3: What happens when Ammonium Nitrite reacts with water?

Answer:

The Ammonium Nitrite is on gentle heating dissolves in water and the solution gets breakdown with the release of nitrous oxide. It is commonly called laughing gas. This can be done only in controlled and supervised conditions because it can cause asphyxiation if high fumes are inhaled.

Question 4: Is Ammonium Nitrite soluble in water?

Answer:

Ammonium Nitrite naturally occurs in air, it was prepared by oxidizing ammonia with ozone or hydrogen peroxide to form Ammonium nitrite crystals. They are soluble in water and methanol. Ammonium nitrite crystals do not have color and odor.

Question 5: Is Ammonium Nitrite ionic or covalent?

Answer:

Ammonium Nitrite consists of 2 Nitrogen atoms, 4 Hydrogen atoms, and 2 Oxygen atoms, that are soluble in water. It is a salt of Ammonium and an ionic compound. 

  • Other names are Ammonium salt of Nitrous acid.
  • IUPAC name is Azanium nitrite.

Question 6: How can you determine the Nitrite content in water?

Answer:

The Nitrite content in water is determined by Titration. The titration method used is Diazotization titration. we can do this titration procedure by using 3 reagents called Hydrochloric acid, Sulfanilamide, and N-(1-Naphthyl)ethylenediamine dichloride. The Nitrite will present in acidic nature, due to this reason the sulfanilamide undergoes diazotization in titration. A red azo pigment forms with added N-(1-Naphthyl)ethylenediamine dichloride.


Last Updated : 21 Dec, 2023
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