Ammonia
Ammonia is one of the most commonly produced chemicals in the United States. It is among the most prevalent hydrides in the environment. The majority of atmospheric ammonia is produced by the breakdown of bacteria, which releases nitrogenous components from animals and plants. Ammonia’s IUPAC name is azane. NH3 is the chemical formula for ammonia. There are different Properties of Ammonia.
You can Read More Chemistry Articles.
Preparation of Ammonia:
Due to the decomposition of nitrogenous organic matter, small amounts of azane/ammonia are present in the soil and air.
To produce ammonia on a small scale, ammonium salts are reacted with caustic soda:
2NH4Cl + Ca(OH)2 → 2NH3 + 2H2O + CaCl2
The Haber process is utilized for mass manufacture. The steps involved in Haber’s procedure are:
N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) ↔ 2NH3 (g)
- For the reaction, nitrogen and hydrogen are needed as source ingredients. The process of removing contaminants from gases is called scrubbing.
- After the process of scrubbing, the gases are combined, and they are then compressed. The mixture is then squeezed to 200 atm pressure.
- The compressed gases are then routed via a converter, where they are heated at 450°C and 200 atm under pressure. Nitrogen interacts with hydrogen to produce ammonia, however only about 15% of the gas is produced.
- The ammonia, hydrogen, and nitrogen mixture is extracted from the converter. It is cooled and collected where it liquefies in the tank.
Properties of Ammonia:
- The characteristics of ammonia are as follows:
- Azane is an odorless, colorless gas with a strong odor.
- Between 198.4K and 239.7K, it boils.
- This gas dissolves easily in water. Due to the formation of OH- ions, the NH3 aqueous solution is a weak base.
NH3+H20 → NH4++OH–
- When ammonium combines with an acid, ammonium salts are produced.
ZnSO4+2NH4OH (g) → Zn(OH)2+(NH4)2SO4
Uses of ammonia:
- The refrigerant properties of ammonia in its aqueous state.
- It is used in the production of urea. Urea is an effective nitrogen fertilizer.
- Due of its cleansing qualities, azane can be used to remove oil.
Nitric acid:
Friedrich Wilhelm Ostwald invented a method for producing nitric acid from ammonia at the turn of the 20th century. Due to the development of nitric acid, the Germans were able to produce explosives during World War I without importing them from nations such as Chile. Nitric acid’s chemical formula is HNO3.
Preparation of Nitric Acid
This gas is produced on a small scale by burning concentrated sulfuric acid with NaNO3 or KNO3.
NaNO3+H2SO4 → NaHSO4+HNO3
For large-scale preparations, the Ostwald method is utilized.
In this process, NH3 undergoes catalytic oxidation by atmospheric oxygen in the presence of Pt/Rh as a catalyst at 500 K and 9 bars of pressure.
4NH3+5O2 → 4NO(g)+6H2O
The produced nitric oxide is then caused to combine with oxygen to form NO2.
2NO+O2 → 2NO2(g)
NO2 is dissolved in H2O to produce HNO3.
3NO2 (g)+H2O(l) → 2HNO3(aq)+NO(g)
Properties of Nitric Acid
It has no color in nature.
The liquid has a boiling point of 84.1°C and freezes at -41.55°C to produce a white solid.
It is a powerful acid that dissociates into nitrate ions and hydronium.
HNO3 (aq) +H2O (l) → H3O+(aq)+NO3–(aq)
HNO3 in its concentrated form is a powerful oxidizing agent.
Cu+4HNO3 → Cu(NO3)2+ 2NO2+2H2O
Uses of Nitric Acid
- The primary application of nitric acid is in the production of fertilizers.
- It is used in the manufacture of polymers such as polyamides and polyurethane.
- Nitric Acid is mostly used for purifying precious metals such as platinum, gold, and silver.
- In woodworking, diluted nitric acid is used to manufacture and age maple and pine wood.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Q.1 What does ammonia do to the human body?
When exposed to high amounts of ammonia, the human body experiences rapid irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, which can lead to blindness, lung damage, or death. A higher dosage than 300 ppm is immediately hazardous to life and health if inhaled. Inhalation of lower quantities can result in coughing and discomfort of the nose and throat.
Q.2 Is ammonia flammable or explosive?
Ammonia is not extremely flammable, however ammonia containers may explode when exposed to high temperatures.
Q.3 What are the uses of ammonia?
The aqueous form of ammonia is utilized as a refrigerant. It is utilized in the production of Urea. Urea is an effective nitrogen fertilizer. Due to its cleansing qualities, it can be used to remove oil.
Q.4 Is nitric acid dangerous?
Nitric acid exposure can result in irritation of the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes, as well as delayed pulmonary edema, pneumonitis, bronchitis, and dental erosion. Nitric acid is a corrosive substance.
Q.5 Does nitric acid disintegrate plastic?
The vast majority of polymers are resistant to dilute nitric acid.
