Ammonium Ferric Citrate

Tri-ammonium citrate is a chemical compound with the molecular formula C6H17N3O7. Here's a more detailed description:

• Chemical Nature:
  • It is a citrate salt, meaning it's derived from citric acid. Specifically, it's the tri-ammonium salt, indicating that all three carboxyl groups of citric acid have reacted with ammonium ions.
  • This results in a compound where the citric acid molecule is associated with three ammonium (NH4+) ions.
• Physical Properties:
  • It typically appears as white to off-white crystals or a crystalline powder.
  • It is highly soluble in water.
• Applications:
  • Food Industry:
    • It's used as a food additive, functioning as an emulsifier and a buffering agent. This means it helps to stabilize mixtures of ingredients that would normally separate, and it helps to maintain a stable pH.
  • Industrial Uses:
    • It can be found in rust-proofing compounds.
    • It is utilized in certain chemical analyses.
  • Laboratory Applications:
    • used in microbiological applications.
• Safety Considerations:
  • It can be an irritant to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Therefore, appropriate safety precautions should be taken when handling it.
• Chemical Identifiers:
  • CAS Number: 3458-72-8
  • It is also known as ammonium citrate tribasic.

In essence, tri-ammonium citrate is a versatile compound with applications spanning the food industry, industrial processes, and laboratory work, primarily due to its properties as a buffering agent and emulsifier.