Ammonium Acetate Formula

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It is a white crystalline solid formed when ammonia reacts with acetic acid. It is widely used in the chemical analysis, in the pharmaceutical industry, the food sector in preserving foods, and in various other industries too. It is also used as a buffer in topical personal care and cosmetic products in manufacturing skin lotions, shampoos, conditioners and more.

Properties Of Ammonium Acetate Formula

Chemical formulaNH4CH3CO2
Molecular weight77.083 g/mol
Density1.17 g/cm3 (20 °C)1.073 g/cm3 (25 °C)
Melting point113 °C (235 °F; 386 K)

Ammonium Acetate Structural Formula

As Ammonium Acetate salt is constituted of a weak acid and a weak base and is often used with acetic acid to create a buffer solution. Ammonium acetate chemical component is volatile at low pressures because it has been used to replace cell buffers with non-volatile salts in preparing the chemical samples. The chemical formula is as given below.

Ammonium Acetate

Ammonium Acetate Formula- It is a salt that has interesting chemical properties and due to this reason, the pharmaceutical industry uses it as an intermediary and raw material in various processes. NH4OAc (Ammonium acetate) is a salt that forms from the reaction of ammonia and acetic acid. Also, it is useful for applications that require buffer solutions. The Henry reactions are the most common reactions that use ammonium acetate. In an aqueous solution, it is a chemical compound that we know by the name spirit of Mindererus or ammonium acetate, which is a white, hygroscopic solid we can derive from the reaction of ammonia and acetic acid.

Ammonium Acetate Formula and Structure

Its chemical formula is NH4CH2COor CH2COONH4. The molecular formula of ammonium acetate is C2H7NO2and its molar mass is 77.08 g/mol-1. Also, it is a slat of acetate ion COO-1(from acetic acid dissociation in water) and ammonium ion NH4+(from ammonia dissociation in water).

Ammonium acetate is volatile at low pressure because it has been used to replace cell buffers with non-volatile salts that help in the preparation of chemical samples. Its common representation of organic molecule’s chemical structure can be written as below:

Ammonium Acetate Occurrence

In nature, ammonium acetate is not present in a free compound state. But, ammonium and acetate ions are present in many biochemical processes.

Ammonium Acetate Preparation

Just like other acetates, we can also synthesize ammonium acetate in a similar way to other acetates that is through neutralization of acetic acid. Furthermore, this synthesis uses acetic acid that we neutralize by adding ammonium carbonate. Besides, in the chemical industries, this method uses glacial acetic acid that is saturated with ammonia:

2CH3COOH + (NH4)2CO3→ 2CH3COONH4+ H2CO3

H2CO3→ CO2+ H2O

CH3COOH + NH3→ CH3COONH4

Ammonium Acetate Physical Properties

It is a hygroscopic white solid with a slightly acidic odor. Furthermore, its melting point is 113oC. Also, it is highly soluble in water and its density in this liquid is 1.17 g/mL-1.

Ammonium Acetate Chemical Properties

It is a slat of a weak acid (acetic acid) and a weak base (ammonia). We use this salt with acetic acid to prepare a buffer solution to regulate its pH. Nevertheless, its use as a buffering agent is not very extensive because ammonium acetate can be volatile in low pressures.

Ammonium Acetate Uses

We use it as a raw material in the synthesis of pesticides, herbicides, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Moreover, it is the precursor in the acetamide synthesis (a chemical compound that we use to produce plasticizers):

CH3COONH4→ CH3C(O)NH2+ H2O

In industries, they use it to acidify textiles and hair and some countries use it as a food acidity regulator. With acetic acid, it is a buffering agent. In organic chemistry, ammonium acetate found its use as a catalyst, in reactions such as Knoevenagel condensations. We can use it as a fertilizer and in the synthesis of explosives.

It is volatile at low pressure and because of this, industries and scientists have used it to replace cell buffers with non-volatile salts in preparing samples for mass spectrometry. Besides, it is popular as a buffer for mobile phases for HPLC and ELSD detection for this reason. Moreover, other salts that they have used for this include ammonium formate.

Ammonium Acetate Health and Safety Hazards

Majorly, ammonium acetate causes irritation in the mouth, eyes, skin, and nose. Furthermore, it is highly dangerous by ingestion and can cause tissue necrosis. It can also destroy the cell membranes, penetrate in organisms, and saponify the skin. When heated it produces toxic fumes that can damage the lungs. In a few seconds, it can decompose sodium hypochlorite.

Ammonium Acetate Production

Two methods can be used for obtaining Azanium acetate, and they are:

  • Through the saturation of glacial acetic acid or CH3COOH with NH3 or ammonia.
  • Through the neutralization of acetic acid with (NH4)2CO3 or ammonium carbonate.

These are the two basic methods used for obtaining ammonium acetate, though some new methods have also surfaced in recent years.

Ammonium acetate functions in the form of an acetamide precursor. This results in a reaction that follows like this:

NH4CH3CO2 → CH3C (O) NH2 + H2O

The Side Effects of Ammonium Acetate

If ammonium acetate dust is inhaled in some way or the other, it can result in nose and mouth irritation. Swallowing this salt might irritate the mouth and the stomach. Any eye contact with this compound can result in rashes. The same goes for skin contact as well. Any contact with this compound can also result in gastrointestinal and respiratory irritation.

Solved Examples on Ammonium Acetate Formula

Question: Show how ammonium acetate is a precursor of acetamide?

Solution: The reaction is as below:

NH4CH3CO2 → CH3C(O)NH2 + H2O

FAQs on Ammonium Acetate

What is the detailed procedure of preparing ammonium acetate and its solution?

When ethanoic acid, the IUPAC name for acetic acid, is duly neutralized in combination with ammonium carbonate, it results in a chemical reaction that makes way for the production of ammonium acetate. Interchangeably, the compound is also produced by saturating glacial ethanoic acid with NH3 or ammonia. Since ammonium acetate is hygroscopic, it is quite challenging to produce this compound in crystalline form.

For preparing a 10 M ammonium acetate solution in 1 L, you will have to dissolve 770 grams of ammonium acetate in around 800 mL of water. You will need to adjust the volume for 1L with water. Next, sterilization needs to be done through filtration. Interchangeably, a 100 mL solution of the compound can be made by dissolving 77 grams of ammonium acetate in 70 mL water at normal room temperature.

What is the role classification of ammonium acetate?

Ammonium acetate serves certain chemical and biological roles. Take, for example, almost all the different varieties of substances or mixtures in aqueous solutions resist changes in pH with the addition of small quantities of ammonium acetate bases or acids. The biological role of the compound includes serving in the form of a food additive for controlling or changing the alkalinity or acidity of foods. The food additive form of ammonium acetate can be a base, acid, buffering agent or neutralizing agent.

What is the full form of CH3COONH4?

It is a white crystalline solid formed when ammonia reacts with acetic acid. It is widely used in the chemical analysis, in the pharmaceutical industry, the food sector in preserving foods, and in various other industries too.

What is the ammonium ion acetate?

Ammonium Acetate is a white, crystalline (sand-like) solid with a slight vinegar-like odor. It is used in chemical analysis, textile dyeing, and preserving meats.

How is ammonium acetate?

Ammonium acetate is an ammonium salt obtained by reaction of ammonia with acetic acid. A deliquescent white crystalline solid, it has a relatively low melting point (114℃) for a salt. Used as a food acidity regulator, although no longer approved for this purpose in the EU.

What is CH3COONa named as?

Sodium Acetate

CH3COONa is a chemical compound with the chemical name Sodium Acetate. It is a sodium salt of acetic acid. It is also called sodium acetate.

What is the use of ammonium acetate?

Ammonium Acetate Uses

In industries, they use it to acidify textiles and hair and some countries use it as a food acidity regulator. With acetic acid, it is a buffering agent. In organic chemistry, ammonium acetate found its use as a catalyst, in reactions such as Knoevenagel condensations.

What elements are in ammonium acetate?

In ammonium acetate, all you have to do is pick out how many unique elements there are… and you can see there are nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen atoms in this compound. Can you point to the letter that corresponds to each of the elements mentioned above?

Is ammonium acetate strong?

The compound ammonium acetate is a strong electrolyte.

Is ammonium acetate stable?

Stable for two years from the date of manufacture when stored at 2–8 °C. Do not use past expiration date printed on product label.

Is ammonium acetate safe?

Chronic Effects on Humans: May cause damage to the following organs: lungs, upper respiratory tract. Other Toxic Effects on Humans: Hazardous in case of ingestion. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of inhalation.

Why is acetate called acetate?

The word “acetate” refers to the acetate anion, the acetate functional group, and to compounds that include the acetate anion. The chemical formula for the acetate anion is C2H3O2-. The simplest compound made using acetate is hydrogen acetate or ethanoate, which is most often called acetic acid.

What products have ammonium acetate?

Shampoo & Conditioner

  • Shampoo & Conditioner.
  • Detangler.
  • Styling.
  • Detangler.
  • Hair Removal.
  • Depilatory.
  • Hair Products For People Of Color.
  • Baby Shampoo.

What is strong ammonium acetate solution?

Principle: Strong ammonium acetate solution was prepared by chemical reaction method. It is used as a mild expectorant, diaphoretic and diuretic. In this solution strong ammonia is used to neutralize the excess glacial acetic acid and obtain a condition of neutrality.

What is another name for ammonium acetate?

Ammonium acetate, also known as spirit of Mindererus in aqueous solution, is a chemical compound with the formula NH4CH3CO2.

The Side Effects of Ammonium Acetate

If ammonium acetate dust is inhaled in some way or the other, it can result in nose and mouth irritation. Swallowing this salt might irritate the mouth and the stomach. Any eye contact with this compound can result in rashes. The same goes for skin contact as well.

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