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We commonly refer to Ammonium Carbonate as Baker’s Ammonia. Along with it, it is a chemical compound that comprises the ions of the ammonium and carbonate. The chemical or the molecular formula for the Ammonium Carbonate is termed as (NH4)2CO3. On the other hand, it is a crystalline solid that has no color or a white powder that has a strong odor of ammonia and has a very Sharp ammoniacal taste. This article also deals in Ammonium Carbonate Formula.
Moreover, the ammonium carbonate is non-combustible and it is also soluble when you dissolve it in the water. Importantly, when it reacts with the acids it develops ammonium salt and carbon dioxide at the same time. When it reacts with bases it forms ammonia gas. It forms by the process of blending the carbon dioxide and aqueous ammonia together. Moreover, one commonly uses it as a leavening agent and as a smelling salt. It is so because of its property of degrading to the gaseous ammonia and the carbon dioxide when it is heated.
Ammonium Carbonate Formula
The Ammonium Carbonate is a white, crystalline salt that has a chemical formula i.e. (NH4)2CO3.
Production
Ammonium carbonate is made by the combination of carbon dioxide and the aqueous ammonia. However, about 80000 tons per year were produced as of 1997. The ammonium carbonate can be produced by carbon dioxide. This consists of, sending the carbon dioxide and the ammonia gas with the purity level of about 99-99.99 percent into 2 buffer gas vats with a pressure of 0.2 to 2MPa.
Opening the valve of the vats to release the flow of the gas by the Rota meter into a sealed PVC synthesis reaction bag and form the product. Wherein, the speed of the flow is (0.6-2) X 106L/h, and (0.1-0.6) X 106L/h for carbon dioxide and the ammonia gas separately.
Decomposition
The Ammonium carbonate decomposes at a very slow speed with standard temperature and pressure through 2 pathways. Thus any initially pure sample of the ammonium carbonate will soon turn into a mixture that includes various by-products. Ammonium carbonate has the capability to spontaneously decompose into the ammonium bicarbonate and the ammonia.
(NH4)2CO3 → NH4HCO3 + NH3
Which later on decompose into the carbon dioxide, water and some other molecules of ammonia.
NH4HCO3 → H2O + CO2 + NH3
Uses
Leavening Agent
The Ammonium carbonate also works as a leavening agent in some traditional recipes, particularly those from northern Europe and Scandinavia for example, Speculoos, Tunnbröd or Lebkuchen. It was the ancestor to today’s more commonly used general baking powder.
Some Other Uses
Ammonium carbonate is the main component of the smelling salts. Although, the commercial scale of their production process is smaller. Buckley’s cough syrup that is from Canada today uses ammonium carbonate as an active ingredient that helps in providing relief to the symptoms of bronchitis.
Moreover, it is also useful as an emetic. It is also present in smokeless tobacco generally chewing tobacco products like Skoal. One also uses it in the aqueous solution as a photographic lens cleaning agent that cleans the lenses, for example, Eastman Kodak’s “Kodak Lens Cleaner.”
Properties of Ammonium Carbonate
The chemical formula of Ammonium Carbonate is (NH4)2CO3. Along with this, the molecular weight is 96.09 g/mol. The density is 1.50 g/cm3. It has a melting point of 58 °C whereas, its boiling point decomposes.
Stability/Shelf Life
The ammonium carbonate decomposes on exposure to air with the loss of ammonia and the carbon dioxide, and it becomes white and powdery and starts converting into ammonium bicarbonate gradually.
Substitute
One can substitute a teaspoon of the baker’s ammonia with a teaspoon baking powder with a teaspoon of the baking soda.
Solved Example on Ammonium Carbonate Formula
Question: Which will not be precipitated after addition of Ammonium carbonate in presence of NH4CI:- (1) Mg (2) Ba (3) Ca (4) Sr?
Solution: When we add (NH4)2CO3 to salt solution containing NH4Cl and NH4OH, the carbonates of Ba2+, Sr2+ and Ca2+ are precipitated:
BaCl2+(NH4)2CO3 → BaCO3↓+ 2NH4Cl
SrCl2+(NH4)2CO3 → SrCO3↓+ 2NH4Cl
CaCl2+(NH4)2CO3 → CaCO3↓+ 2NH4Cl
Then answer is (1) – Mg.
Frequently asked questions and answers
What is the formula ammonium carbonate?
The chemical formula of Ammonium Carbonate is (NH4)2CO3.
What is NH4HCO3 formula?
Formula and Structure
The chemical formula of the ammonium bicarbonate is NH4HCO3. The molecular formula of the ammonium bicarbonate is CH5NO3 and it has a molar mass of 79.056 g/mol. Its chemical structure comprises of the ammonium cation NH4+ and the bicarbonate anion HCO3-.
What is ammonium carbonate used for?
Ammonium Carbonate is a colorless or white, crystalline (sand-like) powder with a strong Ammonia odor. It is used in baking powders, mordant dyeing, and tanning, and as medication, a reagent, and smelling salts.
How do you make ammonium carbonate?
Preparation. Ammonium carbonate is made by reacting ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride, and calcium carbonate in a furnace. The ammonium carbonate is exposed to air to decompose any bicarbonate and then is sold. It can also be made by reacting carbon dioxide with ammonia.
Is ammonium carbonate safe?
Ammonium carbonate is a dietary supplement that is used to treat a variety of conditions, including indigestion, heartburn, and stomach ulcers. However, it can also be dangerous if taken in large doses or for long periods of time. Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and headaches.
What is the nature of ammonium carbonate?
It is a colorless crystalline solid, and it appears like a white powder in nature. It has a powerful pungent odor of ammonia and also has a sharp ammoniacal taste. Ammonium Carbonate is non-combustible.
Is ammonium carbonate explosive?
AMMONIUM CARBONATE decomposes when heated to give gaseous ammonia and gaseous carbon dioxide. Reaction is non-explosive.
What happens if I smell ammonium carbonate?
Smelling salts work by releasing ammonia gas that irritates your nasal and lung membranes when you sniff them. This irritation causes you to involuntarily inhale, which triggers respiration, allowing oxygen to flow rapidly to your brain.
How long is ammonium carbonate good for?
Shelf life is approximately 18 months, stored airtight at below 86°F. Caution: Until Ammonium Carbonate reaches a temperature of 140°F, it can be an irritant to eyes, lungs, and stomach, however above this temperature it safely decomposes into the innocuous gases that expand the pastry. Keep out of reach of children.
What is a substitute for ammonium carbonate?
Ammonium carbonate is available through King Arthur Baking Company and on Amazon, but if you don’t want to go through the trouble of procuring it, you can easily substitute it with baking powder.
What is the difference between baking soda and ammonium carbonate?
Baker’s Ammonia is used to make extra-crisp cookies or crackers. Unlike baking powder or soda, it does not leave an alkaline off-flavor in baked goods. It is not used for cakes or other large items because the ammonia gas cannot evaporate from these items.
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