What is Ammonium bicarbonate?
Ammonium bicarbonate is an inorganic substance with the formula NH4HCO3. It is also known as Monoammonium carbonate, Ammonium hydrogen carbonate, and Ammonium hydrogen carbonate.
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The bicarbonate salt (HCO3) of the ammonium ion (NH+4) easily degrades to carbon dioxide (CO2), ammonia, and water.
Ammonium bicarbonate structure – NH4HCO3
Ammonium hydrogen carbonate is an odorless, crystalline, ammonia-smelling substance. It is soluble in water but insoluble in benzene, ethanol, acetone, and alcohol. It poses a threat to the ecosystem, and immediate action is required to stop its spread. It is commonly employed in the food industry.
Properties of Ammonium bicarbonate – NH4HCO3
| NH4HCO3 | Ammonium bicarbonate |
| Molecular weight of NH4HCO3 | 79.056 g/mol |
| Density of Ammonium bicarbonate | 1.586 g/cm3 |
| Flash point of Ammonium bicarbonate | Non-flammable |
| Melting Point of Ammonium bicarbonate | 41.9 °C |
NH4HCO3 Uses (Ammonium bicarbonate)
- Ammonium bicarbonate is a food additive that is used in the food business.
- Applicable to fire extinguishers.
- Used in the production of dyes.
- Used in as fertilizer.
- Used to make ammonium salt.
- Used in the production of pharmaceuticals.
- Implemented in the creation of paints.
- Used in the production of ceramics.
- Used in tanning leather.
- Used in refreshing baths.
Production of Ammonium bicarbonate
Combining carbon dioxide (CO2) with ammonia (NH3) produces ammonium hydrogen carbonate:
CO2 + NH3 + H2O → (NH4)HCO3
This compound is thermally unstable, thus the reaction solution must be kept cool to permit the precipitation of the compound as a white solid. In 1997, over one million tons were produced by the aforementioned procedure.
Health hazards
Inhaling Monoammonium carbonate irritates the respiratory system. Ingestion is dangerous, and skin or eye contact causes severe irritation. The chemical will release unpleasant, poisonous ammonia gas when heated. It decomposes upon explosion, producing ammonia gas.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Q.1 What are the uses of ammonium bicarbonate?
Ammonium bicarbonate is used as a leavening agent in the food industry for flat baked items such as cookies and crackers. Before contemporary baking powder became accessible, this chemical was frequently employed for baking purposes in homes.
Q.2 Is ammonium bicarbonate toxic?
Ammonium carbonate is a non-toxic, crystalline, white salt having the formula (NH4)2CO3. It is also referred to as baker’s ammonia and hartshorn. Carbonate of ammonium is water-soluble and decomposes in hot water.
Q.3 How is ammonium bicarbonate produced?
In the presence of water, ammonia and carbon dioxide can be reacted to form ammonium bicarbonate. Due to the thermal instability of this chemical, the reaction conditions must be kept reasonably cold.
Q.4 What are ammonium bicarbonate’s benefits?
Ammonium Bicarbonate is an inorganic compound that, in chemical terminology, is the bicarbonate salt of the ammonium ion. Due to its physicochemical properties, this component is utilized as a leavening and stabilizing agent, as well as an acidity regulator.
Q.5 What is the property of NH4HCO3?
The chemical formula for the inorganic compound ammonium bicarbonate is NH4HCO3. Ammonium hydrogen carbonate is a white crystalline chemical with an odor similar to that of ammonia. It is soluble in water, but not in ethanol, acetone, alcohol, or benzene.
Structure, physical, and chemical properties of NH4HCO3 explained by Utopper.com.
