Ammonium Chloride

Ammonium chloride, also known as sal ammoniac, is a white crystalline salt with the chemical formula NH4Cl. It is an inorganic compound that is highly soluble in water. Ammonium chloride is produced as a byproduct of the Solvay process for the production of sodium carbonate. It is also produced on an industrial scale by reacting ammonia with hydrochloric acid or gaseous hydrogen chloride.

Ammonium chloride has a wide range of uses, including:

• Fertilizer: Ammonium chloride is a nitrogen source used in fertilizers to promote plant growth.
• Food additive: Ammonium chloride is used as a yeast nutrient in bread making.
• Medicine: Ammonium chloride is used as an expectorant in cough medicines to help loosen mucus and make it easier to cough up.
• Galvanizing: Ammonium chloride is used as a flux to clean and prepare metals for galvanizing.
• Dry-cell batteries: Ammonium chloride is used as an electrolyte in dry-cell batteries.
• pH control: Ammonium chloride is used to control the pH of solutions in various industrial processes.

Ammonium chloride is generally considered safe, but it can be irritating to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. It can also be harmful if swallowed.

Here are some additional details about ammonium chloride:

• Chemical formula: NH4Cl
• Molar mass: 53.49 g/mol
• Density: 1.53 g/cm³
• Melting point: 338 °C (640 °F)
• Boiling point: 520 °C (968 °F)
• Solubility in water: 383 g/L (25 °C)
• pH of a 5% solution: 4.6-6.0

Here are some safety tips for handling ammonium chloride:

• Wear gloves and eye protection when handling ammonium chloride.
• Avoid breathing in dust from ammonium chloride.
• Do not eat or drink while handling ammonium chloride.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling ammonium chloride.
• Store ammonium chloride in a cool, dry place away from incompatible materials.