Study of Compounds

9 B. Ammonia

SYLLABUS
Ammonia : Its laboratory preparation from ammonium chloride and collection; ammonia from nitrides like Mg,N, and AIN and
ammonium salts Manufacture by Haber's Process; density and solubility of ammonia (fountain experiment), aqueous solution of
aumonia; its reactions with hydrogen chloride and with hot copper (1I) oxide and chlorine; the burning of ammonia in oxygen:
uses of ammonia.

. Laboratory preparation from ammonium chloride and collection (the preparation can be studied in terms of setting of the
apparatus amd diagram, procedure, observation, collection and identification).

Ammonia from nitrides like Mg,N2 and AlN using warm water

Ammonia from ammonium salts using alkalies.

The reactions can be studied in terms of reactants, products, conditions and equations.

Manufacture by Haber's Process.

Density and solubility of ammonia (fountain experiment).
The burning of ammonia in oxygen.

The catalytic oxidationof ammonia (with conditions and reaction). and ammonia in
oxide and chlorine (both chlorine in excess

Its reactions with hydrogen chloride and with hot copper (11)
excess). observations.
All these reactions may be studied in terms of reactants,
products, conditions, equations and
acid and solutions of iron (lII)
ammonia reaction with sulphuric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric
Aqueous solution of -

nitrate and copper sulphate.

chloride, iron (l1) sulphate. lead nitrate, zinc
nitric acid, refrigerant gas (Chlorofluro carbon-and its
suitable
Uses ofammonia-manufacture offertilizers, explosives,
altenatives which a r e non-ozone depleting)
and cleansing agents.

Ammonia and ammonium compounds being

Molecular formula: NH highly soluble in water, do not occur as minerals.

Relative molecular mass: 17 encounters

Note: The pungent smell which
one
LONE PAIR
of organic matter or a toilet
LONE PAIR near a decaying heap

A is due to ammonia.
HN H H bacterial decomposition
It is produced due to
H
of urea (NH,CONH2). present
in the urine
H
Lewis diagram C O (NH,), + 2H,O 2NH +H,O+CO
or dot diagram
Covalent bonding in ammonia
9.1 OccURRENCE Forms of ammonia

Ammonia is used commonly in the following

Free state: Ammonia is present in small
amounts in air and in traces in natural water. forms
ammonia gas)
Combined state: In nature, ammonia occurs (i) Gaseous ammonia (dry
ammonia is
in
combined form in many compounds such as itiquid ammonia. When dry it is called
liquefied by applying high
pressure
ammonium chloride (Hindi : Nausadar), ammoniumn
sulphate, etc. liquid ammonia.

159
 (ii) iquor
of ammonia fortis is a saturated solution and taken in a round-bottom flask fitted in a slantino
ammonia in water. It is called
It has a relative 880 ammonia. position, mouth downwards as shown in Fig. 9.1
tightly stoppereddensity of 0-880. It is stored in
bottles in a cold
On heating the mixture, ammonia gas is evolved
place. Precautions The flask
is tilted in sucha
Latboratory
liquor
bench reagent:Dilute
solution of that the water formed in the reaction
way
does not trickle
ammonia is used as a
laboratory reagent. back into the heated flask and thus break it.
9,2 PREPARATION OF AMMONIA GAS Drying of ammonia gas : In order to get
9.2.1 General drv
methods of ammonia, the gas is passed through a drying tower
Ammonia gas can be preparation containing lumps of quicklime (CaO).
prepared
ammonium salt with caustic by warming an
lime or caustic alkali, such as slaked Unsuitability of other drying agents : Other
soda or caustic potash. drying agents like conc. sulphuric acid
Ammonium Alkali phosphorous pentoxide and anhydrous calcium
salt Salt+ Water +Ammonia chloride are not used, as anmmonia being
basic,
2NH,CI (S) + reacts with them.
Ca(OH)() CaCl,(6) + 2H,0+
Slaked lime 2NH 2NH+ HSO, > (NH),SO,
(NH),SO + Ca(OH)2
NHSO4 + 2NaOH
CaSO+ 2H,0+ 2NH 6NH +P05 +3H,O> 2(NHD,PO
Caustic soda NaSO4+ 2H,0 +
2NH, ammonium phosphate
(NH)SO4+ 2KOH A KSO4 +
CaCl, +4NH CaCl4NH
Caustic potash 2H,0+ 2NH (addition compound)
9.2.2 Laboratory preparatioon Collection:
(1) From ammonium chloride Ammonia gas is collected in inverted gas
by the jars
Reactants
Ammonium chloride
: downward displacement of air because it is:
calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH),]. (Excess(NH,C)
and
of calcium i) lighter than air (V.D. of NH, 8-5; that of air,
hydroxide is mixed well with ammonium
chloride). 14-4),
i) highly soluble in water and therefore, it cannot
Reaction be collected over water.
2NH CI Ca(OH) CaCl, 2H,0 +2NH
+ +
Note 1.
:
Higher ratio by weight of the alkali is used
it
AMMONIA may counteract the loss by sublimation
of NH CI.
CALCIUM HYDROXIDE 2. Calcium
AND AMMONIUM
and
hydroxide is used, as it is cheap
not
CHLORIDE
/3.
deliquescent like other alkalies.
QUICKLIME TO
DRY AMMONIA
Though all
ammonium salts, on heating
with alkalies
give
(explosive in nature)NH3.
and yet
NH NH
NO on
warming with alkalies do not
produce
ammonia because they
decompose on
heating.
NH NO, N,O+2H,0
Fig. 9.1 Lab. preparation of dry ammonia NH NO N , +2H,0
Procedure : Reactants (ammonium chloride P) From metal nitrides
and calcium hydroxide in excess) are finely grinded
Ammonia can also be obtained by the acti0u
160
 nitrides of metals like AMMONIUM CHLORIDE AND
warm
ater on
CALCIUM HYDROXIDE
Aluminium. (This
of
method is costly)
wnesium or

Reaction:

MeN,+6H,O
+
3Mg(OH),+ 2NH,T
or

AIN+ 3H,O >

AI(OH),+ NH,T WATER

nitride or Aluminium
Procedure : Magnesium
in flask fited with
a round bottomed
nitride is kept
as shown in
funnel and a delivery tube,
a thistle
added very slowly.
Warm water is Fig. 9.3 Aqueous solution of ammonia
Fig 9.2.
and
WATER Procedure Water is taken in a container
of the mouth of the funnel is
only asmall portion
dipped in water.
AMMONIA
water at a higher rate
GAS As ammonia dissolves in
the pressure in the
than its production in the flask,
decreases for a moment,
DRYING funnel above water level
AGENT funnel. As a result, the
o CaO
and water rushes into the
contact with water. Since,
rim of the funnel loses its
the water down, the
ammonia produced pushes
with water again. In this
funnel c o m e s in contact
water without back
ammonia dissolves in
way,
nitride
ammonia from magnesium suction of water.
Fig. 9.2 Preparation of
and magnesium OF AMMONIA (HABER's
Ammonia gas is liberated
MANUFACTURE
9.4
aluminium hydroxide is
also formed, PROCESS)
hydroxide or HYDROGEN (BY BOSCH
ammonia
and the liberated PROCESS) 3 VOL
but it remains in the flask LIQUID AIR) 1 VOL
NITROGEN (FROM

the delivery tube.

gas escapes through L
formed is collected by
The ammonia gas cOMPRESSOR
downwards over
holding the jar with its mouth
RECIRCULATION PIPE-

the delivery tube.

by passing it through
CATALYTIC

The gas can be dried CHAMBER

CATALYST (500°C)
quicklime packed in a drying tower. COMPRESSOR 250 ATMOSPHERES

PRESSURE

3PREPARATION OF AQUEOUS AMMONIA

COOLING coOLING
is prepared CHAMBER
An aqueous solution of ammonia LIQUID OUT
water. The
rate of COOLING

y dissolving ammonia in high,

UNCOMBINED
GASES
LIQUID INN

aissolution of ammonia in water is very

10 LIQUID AMMONIA
therefore, back suction of water is possible.
by Haber's process
outer end of Fig. 9.4. Manufacture of ammonia
avoid this, a funnel is attached to the in the ratio
Nitrogen and hydrogen
is
the delivery tube with rubber tubing (the processinto Reactants
HCI gas
Similar to the method used to change of 1:3 by volume.
hydrochloric acid). Sources of reactants
fractional
provides a larger surface area for
dissolution of obtained by
Nitrogen gas is
n e Tunnel

of water into
Onia in water and prevents back suction distillation of liquid air.
the hot flask.

161
1 00 SYU
 Hydrogen gas is obtained from water gas
(Bosch process) or from natural exchanges their heat with the incoming unreacted
gas. nitrogen and hydrogen mixture.
Reactionh:
The hot mixture of the outgoing
gases contains
The
+3H, 2NH, +heat. nearly 15% ammonia. The mixture is passed through
reaction is the cooling pipes (condenser).
proceeds with reversible, exothermic and
a
decrease in volume. Ammonia liquefies first, whereas
Favourable conditions hydrogen do not liquefy easily.
nitrogen and

Temperature: Optimum temperature is 450-500 The unchanged nitrogen and hydrogen

Pressure °C. recirculated
are
Above 200 atm. through the plant to
get more ammonia.
Catalyst :Finely divided iron* By re-circulating in this way, an eventual
98% can be achieved. The ammonia yield of
Promoter : Traces of produced is
Rate of
molybdenum or Al,03. stored as liquid under pressure.
conversion: About 15%
reacting gases get converted to of the Note AH e
ammonia. (i) The reaction
Recovery of ammonia is exothermic, hence low
temperature will favour the
Ammonia is separated from the unreacted
However, at low temperature, thesynthesis. reaction
nitrogen and hydrogen by: proceeds slowly. n practice, the optimum
temperature has been found to be in the range
Liquefaction-Ammonia
compared nitrogen and
is liquified easily as
to
of 450°C to 500°C.
hydrogen. (ii Four volumes of reactants
2. Absorbing in water because of product, hence produce two volumes
soluble in water, NH3 while
is highly high pressure favours the
N2 and H2 are very formation of ammonia.
slightly soluble. The optimum
Process: pressure is found to be 200 to
Nitrogen
and 900 atm.
purified and then mixed in hydrogen Practically, a pressure of about 250
are dried,
the ratio of 1: 3 atm. is used.
respectively, at a relatively high pressure. This ii) Catalyst and promoter The
mixture is passed in : speed of the
an
electricallyheated catalytic reaction can be
chamber containing finely divided iron with improved
which is finely divided by using a catalyst,
aluminium oxide or a little amount
at a
of
molybdenum reduction of iron oxide. iron, obtained by the
temperature of 500°C.
Mixture of ammonia A
formed along with residual promoter
nitrogen and hydrogen increase the molybdenum Al,O, is used
or to
efficiency the of catalyst.
Dry nitrogen Flow chart of Haber's
1 Vol
Process
COMPRESSION Electricaly
PUMP heated catalytic Condenser with
Chamber cooling Pipes
Dry hydrogen.
3 Vol
Uncombined N, and H, recycled back Liquid ammonia
Fe and Ma
N, +3H, 2NH, + heat
450 °C 500 °C
above 200 atm.

* Finelv divided catalyst has morc Suidc aca, this inereases the
efficiency of the catalvst

162
 Since the tion is exothermic, the heat
6. Give reasons
evol further maintains the temperature
(a))Ammonium compounds do not occur as minerals.
External heating
Ext 15, theretore, not required after
heated.
Ab) Ammonium nitrate is not used in the preparation
the
are
reactants initially of ammonia. asit dhccmpese, an hoting
Note: The purification of nitrogen and e ) Conc H2S04 is a good drying agent, yet it is not
hydrogen is necessary impurities like carbon
as used to dry NH. 6euse read with N
dioxide, carbon monoxide and traces of sulphur (d) In the lab. preparation of ammonia
compounds (H,S) poisons the catalyst. The i)calcium hydroxide is used in excess.
removal of these catalytic poisons from (i) Flask is fitted in slanting position
is essential.
nitrogen and hydrogen very . (ay Complete the table.

Intext Questions Gvade-H Name of process Inputs Equationss Output

Hober PocesN at 3- 2 Ammonia

(a)Státe the type of bonding present in ammonia, show by State the following conditions required in the above
by a diagram.
(b)What is the formula of liquid ammonia ? Account
process 4Sp-So 200adm
Y Temperature iPressure i ) Catalyst
for the basic nature of this compound. H Choose the correct word or phrase from the brackets
8.

2(aWrite a balanced chemical equation for the lab to complete the following sentences and write balanced

of ammonia.
preparation E Cal0i" YaCl e equations for the same.

aa ((a) Ammonium chloride is a soluble salt prepared by

by How is ammonia dried and collected in the laboratory? *********oo******.******1
precipitation, neutralization].
Lo Ammonia cannot be collected over water. Give heated, it undergoes
ammonium chloride is
bRse h lslu bWhen
reason.
..[thermal decomposition/dissociation].
(d) Explain with a diagram the preparation of aqueous
Je Heating ammonium chloride with sodium hydroxide
ammonia.
produces .[ammonia, nitrogen].
"*********
Co0 reacts with
3. Name a drying agent for ammonia. Why are other drying 9. An element has 2 electrons in its Nshell. It
and CaCl, are not used ?0thod a non-metal of atomic number 7. The compound formed
agents such P,O
as,
notuso becau y read d t h monua o r e a c t s with warm water and produces a basic gas.
AA substance 'A' was heated with slaked lime and a gas 'B'| ldentify the elements and write the balanced chemical|
with a pungent smell was obtained. Name the substances
Hmmor m reactions.
Aand Bandlal(OP>
give a balanced equation.a- mmate NP4
(wa), o- 10. Correct the following
by Haber Process.
5 Ammonia is manufactured
(a) A reddish brown precipitate is obtained when
ay Under what conditions do the reactants combine to ammonium hydroxide is added to ferrous sulphate.
form ammonia ? Give a balanced equation for the (b)Liquid ammonia is a solution of NH3
4O-Soo
reaction. N3 2N (c) Finely divided platinum_is used in Haber Process.
y In what ratiobyvolume, are the above gases used 1 orConc. HSO4 is a drying agent for NH.
rState one possible source of each reactant used in} e Ammonium salts, on heating, decompose to give
Haber Process. abtanasromace2Ls ammonia. read h olkales
Prores
isakaird by osh
e) State whether the formation of mmonia is promoted
hd 9.5-PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF AMMONIA
by the use of high pressure or low pressure a r
Mention :Colourless.
two possible ways by which ammonia olour
prodyced
):
is ubiliey
remoyedesith
from waler
unchanged gases. 2.Odour : Strong. pungent choking smell.

)What is the functión of: 3. Taste Slightly bitter (alkaline) taste.

tinely divided iron, esed caay as

4.Physiological Non-poisonous.
4molybdenum in the above process ? action If inhaled, affects the respiratory system
ee and brings tears to eyes. It is a powerful
SSTWhat is the percentage formation of ammonia
heart stimulant and may cause death
How can this percentage formation be increased ? 72
when inhaled in large quantities.

163
5. Density
:Vapour density
Nature : Alkaline nature
=
8-5 [Lighter than airl emerges as a blue fountain. [Ammoni
7. gas being basic, changes red litmus solution
Liquefaction Easily liquefied at 10°Cby blue.]
it at 6 atm.
pressure.
compressing
8. Boiling point : Liquid ammonia
boils at
A bottle of liquor ammonia should be
opened
9.
Freezing point : Solid NH, melts at -33.5°C. very carefully, only after cooling it in ice or cold
10. Solubility -77:7°C. water. There is high pressure inside the bottle of
:Highly soluble in water, 1 vol. ammonia and cooling,
dissolves about 702 of water on the
pressure drops. This
vols. of ammonia prevents sudden flushing out of the gas.
at 20°C and 1 atm.
pressure.
FOUNTAIN EXPERIMENT 9.6 CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF AMMONIA
To
demonstrate the high solubility 1. Thermal dissociation : Ammonia
gas dissociates
ammonia gas in water. of
into nitrogen and hydrogen at high
temperature
Apparatus or by electric
sparks.
1. A round
bottomed flask filled with
ammonia 2NH N2+3H2
gas 2. Basic
2. Mouth of the flask is fitted properties : Dry ammonia is a covalent
with two
with a rubber
stopper molecule. So, it is neutral even in liquefied form.
holes, one for jet tube and the other Its aqueous solutionis a weak base, the
for a basicity
dropper containing water. is due to a lone pair of electrons on its
3. A trough containing red litmus solution. atom. nitrogen
4. Aretort stand is used to fix the
round bottomed H
flask in inverted
position as shown in Fig. 9.5. Lone pair > N H
AMMONIA GAS H
-BLUE
JET TUBE- FOUNTAIN An aqueous solution of ammonia
a weak base. It dissociates [NH OH] is
o partially to give
hydroxyl ions.
DROPPER- The alkaline behaviour is due to the
ions [OH hydroxyl

RED LITMUS
NH,+HO NHOH
SOLUTION|| NHOH NH;+ OH
Action on indicators
Fig. 9.5. Fountain experiment Change in colour
Indicator
Procedure: Moist litmus
Original To
Red
The Methyl orange Blue
1. dropper containing water is squeezed. Orange Yellow
2. As few drops of water enter the flask, ammonia Phenolphthalein Colourless Pink
gas present in the flask gets dissolved in water, Burning of ammonia in oxygen
a supporter of combustion. It Ammonia is
:
due to its high solubility. This creates a not
partial extinguishes
vacuum in the flask. burning splint
and does not burn in air. It
Since, outside pressure is higher, the red litmus in oxygen with bur
3. yellowish green flame.
solution rushes up through the jet tube and Experiment Burning :
of ammonia in oxygen
(Fig. 9.6).

164
 Observations
(i) Reddish brown vapours of nitrogen dioxide
NO,] are seen in the flask due to the oxidation
of nitric oxide [NO].
2NO+O2NO,
(1) The platinum [catalyst] continues to glow
-OXYGEN even
DRY

AMMONIA GAS after the heating is discontinued since the

ammonia in oxygen exothermic
Fig. 9.6 Burning oj catalytic oxidation of ammonia is an
2N,+6H,O reaction.
Reacion: 4NH, +30,
Procedure : A wide glass tube is fitted with a
. Ammonia as a reducing agent: W
carrying two tubes, one of which reaches just (i) Reduction of metallic oxides
ark
C
and the.other remains lower. Ammonia Ammonia reduces heated metallic
oxides to give
ear the top the longer tube, and oxygen through metals, water vapour and nitrogen.
is passed through
shorter tube
and a lighted match is applied. Pass ammonia gas over heated
the Procedure :
Ammonia burns with a yellowish hard glass tube.
Observation: copper oxide in a
and produces water vapours and p r t C oide
green flame Reaction
shows that ammonia contains nitrogen
nitrogen. It 3Cu+ 3H,O + N,
2NH +3CuO
and hydrogen. black reddish gas
reaction is irreversible and strongly solid brown solid
The
is
exothermic.
Observation : The black copper oxide
explosive and
Mixture of ammonia and oxygen is reduced to reddish brown copper.
s3idsio2
therefore dangerous. reduces heated yellow lead
Similarly, Ammonia
4. Catalytic oxidation of ammonia: In the monoxide to greyish metallic lead.
ammonia reacts 3PbO+ 2NH,> 3Pb +3H,0 + N
presence of platinum at 800°C, (greyish)
vapour. (yellow)
WIth oxygen to givenitric oxide and water is collected over
of gas : Nitrogen
Collection
Procedure : Pass dry ammonia gas and oxygen
in water in a gas jar (Fig. 9.8).
gas through inlets over heated platinum placed emits COPPER oXIDE
ne combustion tube, which in the heated state DRY
a reddish glow. AMMONIAA

DRY O2
PLATINUM
(CATALYST) HEAT

WATER
COLD
R
|WATER
WATER Fig. 9.8 Reducing action of ammonia
DROPLETS
HEAT
2NO+O2( The water formed is collected in the U-tube
DRY NH3 which
2NO2 and is tested with anhydrous copper sulphate
turns blue.
Fig.9.7 Catalytic oxidation of ammonia
Reaction: Note : This reaction proves that ammonia is
made up of nitrogen and hydrogen and is,
NH+5O Pt,800°C
6H,O+4NOT +Heat therefore, a nitrogen hydride.
2NO+O 2NO, (brown gas)
165
 ii) Reduction of chlorine to
When chlorine hydrogen chloride Ammonium chloride is a good example, where
reacts with colourless gases react to
reduced to HCI, which ammonia, it is two form a white solid
of ammonia further combines with excess directly.
and forms
(a) When ammonia NH4Cl. Note Ammonium nitrate and
is in ammonium
excess, chloride both show thermal dissociation
reaction.
2NH+ 3Cl, N +6HCI
6NH+6HCI > 6NH,CI NH,CI NH, + HCI

NHNO, N,O+2H,0
SNH+ 3Cl, N, 6NH,CI +
(excess) AQUEÓUS SsOLUTION OF AMMONIA
Observation: Ammonia is dissolved in water to form its
aqueous
The solution (ammonium hydroxide).
disappearsyellowish-green
and white
fumes
colour of chlorine
of ammonium chloride NH +H,0> NHOH
are formed.
Ammonium hydroxide reacts with acids to
form
(b) When chlorine is in salt and water.
excess, then the
are products
hydrogen chloride and yellow coloured Ammonia + Acid Ammonium +
highly Water
explosive liquid nitrogen trichloride. laq.] salt

These reactions
NH+3Cl3HCl+ NCl, NHOH + HCl
NH,CI+ H,o
show that NHOH HNO | +
NH NO+HO
Chlorine has a great 2NHOH+HSO
affinity for hydrogen. NH),SO, +2H,
Ammonia is a reducing
agent. 7. Reaction of aqueous solution
6. Reaction with of ammonia with
acids : Ammonia soluble metal salts :
base accepts being a weak Ammonium hydroxide
protons [hydrogen ions] to form reacts with soluble
ammonium ions. salts of metals to
insoluble precipitates of their give
It reacts with acids to
form ammonium salts. hydroxides, (except sodium and respective metallic
Ammonia gas Acid Ammonia salt This behaviour is potassium).
similar to NaOH solution and
NH, (gas) +
HCl (gas) NH,CI
(solid) KOH solution.
Ammonium chloride The
NH, (gas) HNO 2 NH, NO precipitates formed by
Ammonium nitrate hydroxides differ in colour anddifferent metallic
2NH,(gas) HSO (NH , SOP ammonium solubility. Hence
hydroxide is used in
qualitative
Ammonium sulphate analysis for
identifying cations.
Metallic salt Ammonium Ammonium Metallic
solution hydroxide salt Colour of Solubility in
hydroxide lppt.] precipitate
FeSO 2NH OH excess of NH,OH
(NHSO+ Fe(OH),
PECI 3NHOH 3NHCI Fe(OH),/
Dirty green
Reddish brown
Insoluble
Pb(NO 2NH,OH 2NH NO Insoluble
Zn(NO,)2 2NH,OH 2NH NO
Pb(OH), White
Insoluble
2NH,OH
Zn(OH), White gelatinous
CusO4 (NH,SO4 Cu(OH), Pale blue
Soluble
Soluble
sa
nrecinitate of copper hydroxide dissolves in ol
re blne (deep blue) soluble complex salt. exces ammonium hydroxide forming, tetraamine
CyoH), (NH),SO, 2NH,OH
+
+ opper [
ICu(NHjsO, F 4H,O
e traa m n m m n e Coppe lphd.)166
 FOR AMMONIA GAS AND AMMONIUM The free radical [CI] reacts with ozone and
TESTS
O N
chlorine monoxide is formed.
asily be recognised by the
monia gas
can
CIg)+O,g)> CIO(g) +0,(g)
This causes depletion of ozone. Chlorine
o l l o w i n gc h a r a c t e r i s t i c s

sharp.characteristic
odour. monoxide further reacts with atomic oxygen
a
Ithas and more free chlorine
produces
radicals.
(2) It turns

litmus blue, Ciog)+Og) > CI(g) +0,(g)

moist red ozone and
turmeric paper brown Again this free radical [CI] destroys
moist rise to
phenolphthalein solution pink. the process continues thereby giving

white fumes with conc.

ozone depletion.
dense
gives the atmosphere
(3)
hydrochloric acid. Ozone layer acts as a blanket in
earths surface. It
above 16 km height from the
NH + HCI >
NH,CI. coming fromn
absorbs the harmful ultraviolet rays
on earth.
4)When NH3 gas 1s passed through copper the Sun and thus protects life
solution blue precipitate is formed
sulphate
blue solution on passing Ammonia as refrigerant
which changes to deep Advaniages of
compatible. It
the gas in
excess.
1) Ammonia is environmentally
and does not
ammonium salts generally produce does not ozone
deplete layer
(5) All warmed with alkali like warming.
ammonia gas when contribute towards the global
as a
sodium hydroxide. It has superior thermodynamic qualities
i) use less
systems
salt gives brown colour or result ammonia refrigeration
Ammonium
(6)
precipitates with
Nessler's solution K^Hgl4 electricity.
and so leaks
alkaline solution of potassium has a recognizable odour
(a slightly ii) Ammonia

mercuric iodide made by adding KOH). et

are not likely to escape.
b
98 USES OF AMMONIA npill
Ammonia has some disadvantages.
in cannot be
used as a refrigerant with copper, so it
q u i d ammonia is It is not compatible
f c e plants. Liquid ammonia
takes a lot of energy
used in any system with copper
pipes. Ammonia is
at-33 °C). concentration although it is easily
to vaporize (5700 calories permole poisonous in high
surrounding bodies smell and also being
This heat is taken from the detectable due to its peculiar
down. not
which are consequently cooled than air goes up in the atmosphere
lighter
colourless liquid much on earth.
Anhydrous ammonia is a clear
and
affecting the life too
under pressure. It evaporates rapidly
This makes ammonia is used as an important
produces cooling effect. 2. Ammonia solution
reagent in qualitative analysis
as
a good refrigerant. Jaboratory metallic
freon characteristic coloured
he main refrigerants used are it gives
ozone hydroxide precipitates.
chlorofluoro carbon (CFC). They deplete dissolves fats.
1ayer and also contribute to global warming
emulsifies or
3. Aqueous NH,
to life. The it is used:
nus these refrigerants are harmful grease, etc. so
stains
carbons decomposed by the grease and
perspiration
Orofluoro are
chlorine (1) to remove

raviolet rays to highly reactive from clothes,

Which is produced in the atomic form. etc.
(ii) for cleaning tiles, windows,
CF CLg) Ultraviolet CF,CKg)+Cl(E) (free radical)

167
 NaNO,(aq) + NH,CI(aq)> NaCl(aq) NH,NO,(aq,)
+

Ammonia is used in the manufacture of: Sodium nitrite

(a) nitrogenous ammonium

fertilisers like
N(g)N(g) +2H,O(g)
NH,NO,(aq)
sulphate, diammonium hydrogen phosphate, Ammonium nitrite

ammonium nitrate and urea. rayon, and

sodium cyanamide,
(d) nylon and
Ammonia reacts with carbon dioxide at plastics, dyes, organic chemicals,
150°C and 150 atm. pressure to give urea explosives and wood pulp.
Which is a valuable nitrogenous fertiliser.
(e) sodium carbonate by Solvay process. This
150°C involves the interaction of
2NH +Co, 150 atn
NH,cONH, + H,O process
urea ammonia, carbon dioxide, and sodium
chloride in water solution resulting in the
(b) explosives like ammonium nitrate.
Ammonium nitrate decomposes explosively precipitation of sodium hydrogen
carbonate.
leaving no residue behind
NaCl+NH, +CO, + H,0 NaHCO, NH,C
> +

NHNO A N,O) + 2H,O(vap.)

The sodium hydrogen carbonate is
(c) other ammonium salts such as ammonium
smelling salt for separated and ignited to obtain sodium
carbonate (used as
carbonate.
reviving a fainted person), ammonium
chloride -

used in dry cells and in the 2NaHCO A NaCO, +H,O +CO,1

preparation of nitrogen gas. aeha p S da
a n de
EXERCISE-9