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Outline

Ammonium carbonate is positive ammonium salt of carbonic acid normal salt, the formula is (NH4)2CO3. Pure product is colorless or white cubic crystal or powder, it has strong smell of ammonia. Industrial product is complex salt of ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium carbamate, it is white, flaky or small block of solid product crushed form. It is often with a molecular crystal water, it is hygroscopic, soluble in water, it can decompose in case of hot water. It is insoluble in ethanol and carbon disulfide. Ammonium carbonate can rapidly decompose into ammonia, carbon dioxide and water at 58℃. Ammonium carbonate can be obtained by ammonia introduces into solution of sodium carbonate with half times, the solution crystallizes at 30°C. It gradually loses ammonia to form ammonium bicarbonate in air.

Solubility in water (g/100ml)

The grams which dissolve per 100 ml of water:100g/20 ℃.

Related reactions of the formula

At room temperature for significant decomposition: (NH4) 2CO3 → 2NH3 + CO2 + H2O At low temperature and a certain pressure, carbon dioxide and water with an excess of ammonia, ammonium carbonate can be obtained: 2NH3 + CO2 + H2O → (NH4) 2CO3 Ammonium sulfate and calcium carbonate suspension under heating to generate ammonium carbonate: (NH4) 2SO4 + CaCO3 → (NH4) 2CO3 + CaSO4 Urea in aqueous solution will gradually react with water to form ammonium carbonate: CO (NH2) 2 + 2H2O → (NH4) 2CO3

Toxcity

If it splashes into the eye accidentally, rinse immediately with plenty of water. It has stimulating effect on the skin. It should pay attention to dust prevention and dust extraction, respiratory protection, skin protection.

Chemical properties

It is matte orthorhombic crystalline powder. It has strong ammonia odor. It usually can not get anhydrous salt, industrial salt is actually a complex of ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium carbamate. The amount of ammonia is 31%, The amount of carbon dioxide is 56%. It is soluble in water, insoluble in ethanol, carbon disulfide, and concentrated ammonia. It is unstable in the air, it will gradually become ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium carbamate. When be dried at 58℃, it can easily decompose, release ammonia and carbon dioxide. Aqueous solution begins to decompose at 70℃. It is unstable for light and heat. It has slightly hygroscopic.

Uses

It is used as raw material for baking powder, various ammonium salts, buffer agent, auxiliaries, fertilizer and analytical reagent. Edible ammonium carbonate is used as buffer, neutralizing agent, leavening agent, fermentation promoter (manufacture of wine). It is used for fire fighting, detergents, and used in medicine, rubber, and other industrial fermentation.

Production method

Carbonization method: Carbon dioxide, ammonia and steam synthesized directly sodium carbonate, it passes through the cooling chamber, uses water to direct cooling, and then it is refined to obtain ammonium carbonate products. 2NH3 + CO2 + H2O → (NH4) 2CO3

Category

Toxic substances.

Toxicity grading

highly toxic.

Acute toxicity

Intravenous-Mouse LD50: 96 mg/kg; Intravenous-Dogs LDL0: 200 mg/kg.

Flammability hazard characteristics

It can produce toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides and ammonia at high temperature.

Storage characteristics

Treasury ventilation low-temperature drying.

Extinguishing agent

Dry powder, foam, sand, carbon dioxide, water mist.

Chemical Properties

Anunonium carbonate is a white water-soluble, volatile solid prepared by reaction of NH4OH and CO2 and crystallizing from dilute alcohol. Ammonium carbonate loses NH3,CO2, and H20 at ordinary temperatures, and rapidly at 58°C.

Physical properties

Colorless or translucent hard crystalline mass or white cubic crystals or powder; sharp taste; odor of ammonia; decomposes at 58°C; slow decomposition at ambient temperatures; readily dissolves in cold water; decomposes in hot water; insoluble in liquid ammonia, alcohol and carbon disulfide.

Definition

ammonium carbonate: A colourlessor white crystalline solid,(NH4)2CO3, usually encountered asthe monohydrate. It is very soluble incold water. The compound decomposesslowly to give ammonia, water,and carbon dioxide. Commercial ‘ammoniumcarbonate’ is a double saltof ammonium hydrogencarbonateand ammonium aminomethanoate(carbamate), NH4HCO3.NH2COONH4.This material is manufactured byheating a mixture of ammoniumchloride and calcium carbonate andrecovering the product as a sublimedsolid. It readily releases ammoniaand is the basis of sal volatile. It isalso used in dyeing and wool preparationand in baking powders.

Preparation

Ammonium carbonate is obtained by passing carbon dioxide into aqueous ammonia solution in a column or tower. Ammonia, carbon dioxide and water vapor are distilled and the vapors condensed into a solid crystalline mass. It also may be prepared by subliming a mixture of ammonium sulfate and calcium carbonate.

General Description

A colorless crystalline solid or a white powder with a strong odor of ammonia. Noncombustible. The primary hazard is the threat to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit spread to the environment. Used to make other ammonium compounds, in pharmaceuticals, in food processing.

Air & Water Reactions

Water soluble.

Reactivity Profile

Ammonium carbonate decomposes when heated to give gaseous ammonia and gaseous carbon dioxide. Reaction is non-explosvie. Causes decomposition of sodium hypochlorite within a few seconds [Mellor 2 Supp. 1:550 1956].

Hazard

Evolves irritating fumes when heated.

Health Hazard

Inhalation causes irritation of nose and throat. Ingestion may cause gastric irritation. Contact with eyes or skin causes irritation.

Agricultural Uses

Ammonium carbonate, (NH4)2CO3, is an intermediate product formed during the synthesis of urea. Ammonium carbonate on decomposition yields urea and water.

Safety Profile

Poison by subcutaneous and intravenous routes. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NO, and NH3.

Potential Exposure

It is used in dyeing, tanning, medicines, fire extinguishers; to make casein glue; ammonia salts; and baking powders. A laboratory reagent.

Shipping

UN3077 Environmentally hazardous substances, solid, n.o.s., Hazard class: 9; Labels: 9-Miscellaneous hazardous material, Technical Name Required.

Incompatibilities

Acids, acid salts; salts of iron and zinc, alkaloids, calomel and tartar emetic. Keep cool, below 38 C. Contact with inorganic acids may form CO2, heat, and dangerous spattering.

Waste Disposal

Slowly deposit in a large container of water. Add excess amounts of soda ash and let stand for 24 hours. Decant to another container, neutralize with hydrochloric acid, and drain with an excess of water. Ship to landfill.

Who Evaluation

Evaluation year: 1982

Consumer Uses

ECHA has no public registered data indicating whether or in which chemical products the substance might be used. ECHA has no public registered data on the routes by which this substance is most likely to be released to the environment.