- Ammonium carbonate
Chembox new
Name = Ammonium carbonate
ImageFile =ammonium carbonate.png
IUPACName = Ammonium carbonate
Section1 = Chembox Identifiers
CASNo = 506-87-6
Section2 = Chembox Properties
Formula = (NH4)2CO3
MolarMass = 96.09 g/mol
Appearance = White powder
Density = 1.50 g/cm³, solid
Solubility = Soluble, decomposes in hot water
MeltingPt = 58 °C
BoilingPt = Decomposes
pKa =
Section3 = Chembox Structure
CrystalStruct =
Section7 = Chembox Hazards
ExternalMSDS = [http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/a5688.htm External MSDS]
MainHazards = Irritant
Section8 = Chembox Related
OtherAnions =Ammonium nitrate ,ammonium sulfate ,ammonium chloride Ammonium carbonate is the commercial salt, formerly known as "sal volatile" or "salt of hartshorn". Ammonium carbonate is used when crushed as a
smelling salt . It can be crushed when needed in order to revive someone who has fainted. It is also known as "baker's ammonia" and was a forerunner to the more modern leavening agentsbaking soda andbaking powder .Production
Ammonium carbonate was historically obtained by the
dry distillation of nitrogenous organic matter such as hair, horn, decomposed urine, etc.Fact|date=February 2007Currently, it is produced by heating a mixture of
ammonium chloride , orammonium sulfate andchalk , to redness iniron retorts, the vapours being condensed inlead en receivers.Fact|date=February 2007 The crude product is refined by sublimation, when it is obtained as a white fibrous mass, which consists of a mixture ofammonium bicarbonate , NH4HCO3, and ammonium carbamate, NH2COONH4, in molecular proportions; on account of its possessing this constitution it is sometimes called ammonium sesquicarbonate. It possesses a strong ammoniacal smell, and on digestion with alcohol the carbamate is dissolved and a residue of ammonium bicarbonate is left; a similar decomposition taking place when the sesquicarbonate is exposed to air.Ammonia gas passed into a strong aqueous solution of the sesquicarbonate converts it into normal ammonium carbonate, (NH4)2CO3, which can be obtained in the crystalline condition from a solution prepared at about 30 °C. This compound on exposure to air gives off ammonia and passes back to ammonium bicarbonate.It has pH of 9
Uses
As well as in smelling salts, as mentioned, ammonium carbonate is still used for leavening in particular recipes, particular northern European and Scandinavian. It can sometimes be substituted with baking powder, but the finished product will never be as airy and light as the original recipe. Icelandic loftkökur (air biscuits) for instance simply cannot be made with anything other than ammonium carbonate.
Buckleys cough syrup from Canada also uses ammonium carbonate as an active ingredient intended to help relieve symptoms of bronchitis.
ee also
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Smelling salts References
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