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

Ammonium cations are positively charged polyatomic ions with the formula NH₄⁺. It is formed by the protonation of ammonia (NH₃). Ammonium is also the generic name for positively charged or protonated substituted amines and quaternary ammonium cations (NR₄⁺) in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by an organic group. A sulfide is an inorganic sulfur anion with the formula S^2-, or a compound containing one or more S^2- ions. Do not impart color to sulfide salts. Because it is classified as a strong base, even dilute salt solutions such as sodium sulfide (Na₂S) are corrosive and can attack the skin.

Ammonium Sulfide 

Ammonium sulfide is an inorganic compound found in nature. We distinguish them as ionic compounds. It may also be called azaniumyl sulfasalazine or diammonium sulfide. This connection is very important for the photography and textile industry. This is because it is widely used as a solution for photo processing and textile production.

Ammonium Sulfide Formula

Ammonium sulfide or ammonium sulfide is a compound composed of sulfur and ammonium ions. It is more commonly known as a “smell bomb” because of its explosive nature. The name of the compound according to the IUPAC classification is ammonium sulfide, and the chemical formula for ammonium sulfide is (NH₄)₂S. The molar mass of ammonium sulfide can be determined by the formula of ammonium sulfide (or the formula of ammonium sulfide) 68.154 g/mol. Because of the two ammonium ions present in the ammonium sulfide formula, it is sometimes commonly known as diammonium sulfide.

Structure of Ammonium Sulfide

Molar mass is 66.122 g mol^-1. The molecule is formed by a monocentric sulfur atom to which two ammonium cations NH₄⁺ are attached. Its chemical structure is the conventional notation used for organic molecules and can be written as :

Preparation of Ammonium Sulfide

It has been established that ammonium sulfide does not occur as a free compound in nature. On the other hand, it must be prepared, and the method of obtaining this compound is as follows. To obtain ammonium sulfide, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide must be reacted.

HS + Reference NH₃ → (NH₄)₂S

Physical Properties of Ammonium Sulfide 

• Ammonium sulfide compounds have a yellow-orange color. Below 18ºC, it is a crystalline solid.
• Also, if we talk about the way it smells, it has a rather unpleasant smell, similar to the smell of rotten eggs and ammonia.
• Also, the melting point of ammonium sulfide is 0°C and the boiling point is 40°C.
• Also, the density of ammonium sulfide is 1 g/ml.
• It is also soluble in two substances: water and ethanol. Likewise, it is insoluble in toluene, benzene, hexane, and ether.
• Most importantly, it is unstable at temperatures above 0ºC.

Chemical Properties of Ammonium Sulfide

• It is not difficult to find and is usually found in mixtures with ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, causing dissociation.

(NH₄)₂S → H₂S + NH₃

• A stink bomb, which is a solution of ammonium sulfide, usually consists of a solution of ammonium sulfide in water and is sealed inside a glass ampoule (a small mini-bottle-shaped container used to safely store liquids). When the ampoule breaks, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide gases are released from the solution, which gives off a strong, unpleasant odor.
• Ammonium sulfide decomposes at ambient temperature. It is soluble in water but more soluble in alcohol and more soluble in liquid ammonia. This is a very toxic chemical and must be handled with care.
• It is highly corrosive and, as already mentioned, is hazardous to the environment.
• The pungent smell can make some people nauseous. It is highly flammable and should be stored away from fire or other flammable liquids and substances. Another compound with similar properties is ammonium polysulfide.
• For example, diammonium trisulfide is an ammonium polysulfide compound containing two ammonium ions and three sulfide ions as components. So the ammonium polysulfide formula depends on the number of sulfide ions present along with the ammonium ions.

Uses of Ammonium Sulfide 

• Ammonium sulfide is used to make “knock bombs”, aqueous dilutions of the compound. 
• In water, it decomposes into ammonia and hydrogen sulfide gas, which gives off an unpleasant odor.
• It is used as a patina that can be applied to bronze in photographic development or during some weaving processes.
• It is used as the reducing agent in some organic synthesis methodologies.

Sample Questions 

Question 1: Is the Ammonium Sulfide Insoluble?

Answer: 

Ammonium sulfide is a yellowish solid at low temperatures, but unstable above 18°C ​​and has a very strong and extremely unpleasant odor of rotten eggs. It is well soluble in water and ammonia, as well as alcohol.

Question 2: Is Ammonium Sulfide a Covalent Bond?

Answer: 

In ammonium sulfide, the ammonium cation and the sulfide anion are ionically bonded to each other, although all atoms are non-metallic. The difference in electronegativity between ammonium and sulfur ions allows for ionic bonding. At the same time, the hydrogen atom is covalently bonded to the nitrogen atom.

Question 3: Is Ammonium Sulfide a Reducing Agent?

Answer: 

It can be used as a selective reducing agent (see 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene); If there are two nitro groups, only one of them is selectively reduced.

Question 4: Is Ammonium Sulfide Ionic or Covalent? 

Answer: 

In ammonium sulfide, the ammonium cation and the sulfide anion are ionically bonded to each other, although all atoms are non-metallic. The difference in electronegativity between ammonium and sulfur ions allows for ionic bonding. At the same time, the hydrogen atom is covalently bonded to the nitrogen atom.

Question 5: Is it legal to detonate stink bombs?

Answer: 

This issue may be considered at Monday’s board meeting. A stink bomb is a glass bottle about an inch long that contains a chemical that produces an unpleasant odor that can make people sick or harm asthmatics. State law permits to purchase or possession, but use is illegal.

Question 6: Why Use Ammonium Sulfate in Bread?

Answer: 

A variety of baked goods, including pita bread, steamed buns, bagels, English muffins, and muffins, contain this ingredient. In addition to its role in regulating the pH of flour and baked goods, increasing volume, texture, and crumbiness, and extending shelf life, this ingredient also provides nitrogen for yeast growth.