CHEMISTRY STUDY OF COMPOUNDS - AMMONIA

Ammonia
Ammonia

Molecular formula: NH3

Relative molecular mass: 17 amu

Lewis diagram or dot diagram

Preparation of Ammonia Gas

General methods of preparation

2NH4Cl + Ca(OH)2 CaCl2 + 2H2O + 2NH3

(NH4)2SO4 + 2NaOH Na2 SO4 + 2H2O + 2NH3

(NH4)2SO4 + 2KOH K2SO4 + 2H2O + 2NH3

Laboratory Preparation

From Ammonium Chloride

Reactants: Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) and calcium hydroxide [Ca (OH)2] in the ratio
of 2:3 by weight.
Reaction:
2NH4Cl + Ca (OH)2 → CaCl2 + 2H2O +2NH3
Collection:
Ammonia gas is collected by the downward displacement of air because it is
i. Lighter than air (VD of NH3 = 8.5 and that of air = 14.4).
ii. Highly soluble in water, and therefore, it cannot be collected over water.

From Metal Nitrides

It can also be prepared by the action of warm water on nitrides of metals such as magnesium or
aluminium.
Reaction:
AlN + 3H2O 
 Al (OH)3+ NH3
Or
Mg3 N2 + 6H2O 
 3Mg (OH)2 + 2NH3

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CHEMISTRY STUDY OF COMPOUNDS - AMMONIA

Manufacture of Ammonia (Haber process)

Reactants: Nitrogen and hydrogen in the ratio of 1:3 by volume.

Reaction: N2 + 3H2 2NH3 +Heat

Physical Properties of Ammonia

 Colourless, alkaline in nature, strong, pungent choking smell, slightly bitter in taste.
 Vapour density of ammonia is 8.5.
 Easily liquefied at 10°C by compressing it at 6 atm. pressure.
 Boiling point is −33.5°C, and freezing point is −77.7°C.
 It is highly soluble in water.

Chemical Properties of Ammonia

i. Ammonia reacts with acids to form corresponding ammonium salts.

NH3 + HCl   NH4Cl
Ammonium chloride
2NH3 + H2 SO4   (NH4)2SO4
Ammonium sulphate
ii. Ammonia dissolves in water to form an aqueous solution of NH4OH.
NH3 + H2O NH4OH
Ammonium hydroxide
iii. Ammonia reduces heated metallic oxides to produce metals, water vapour and nitrogen.
2NH3 + 3CuO   3Cu + 3H2 O + N2

iv. W hen conc. solution of NH3 is added to conc. solution of copper sulphate, a light blue ppt. of copper
(II) hydroxide is formed.

NH3 + H2O NH4OH

CuSO4 + 2NH4 OH 

 Cu(OH)2 + (NH4)2 SO4
Copper (II) hydroxide

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CHEMISTRY STUDY OF COMPOUNDS - AMMONIA
2+
Cu (OH)2 + (NH4)2 SO4 + 2NH4OH 
 [Cu(NH3)4] SO4-2 + 4H2O
Tetrammine copper (II) sulphate (Deep blue)

v. Decomposes into elements at high temperature or by electric sparks.

2NH3 N2 + 3H2

vi. Burns in oxygen with a yellowish-green flame to produce nitrogen and water vapour.

4NH3 + 3O2 

 2N2 + 6H2O

vii. Ammonia reacts with oxygen to produce nitric oxide and water vapour in the presence of platinum at
800°C.

viii. W hen ammonia reacts with excess of chlorine, it forms nitrogen trichloride and HCl.

NH3 + 3Cl2 

 NCl3 + 3HCl
Nitrogen trichloride
ix. W ith limited amount of chlorine, it forms ammonium chloride and nitrogen.

8NH3 + 3Cl2 

 6NH4Cl + N2

x. Ammonium hydroxide reacts with soluble salts of metals to produce insoluble precipitates of their
respective metallic hydroxides.
FeSO4 + 2NH4 OH → (NH4)2SO4 + Fe (OH)

Uses of Ammonia

 Liquid ammonia is used as a refrigerant in ice plants.

 As a laboratory reagent in qualitative analysis because it produces characteristic coloured metallic
hydroxide precipitates.
 In the manufacture of fertilisers (e.g. ammonium sulphate and diammonium hydrogen phosphate) and
explosives (e.g. ammonium nitrate).
 In the manufacture of sodium carbonate by the Solvay process and nitric acid by the Ostwald process.

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CHEMISTRY STUDY OF COMPOUNDS - AMMONIA

Manufacture of Nitric Acid

Step 1: Catalytic oxidation of Ammonia

A mixture of dry air and dry ammonia in the ratio of 10:1 by volume is compressed and then passed into
platinum gauze which acts as catalyst at about 800°C.

4NH3 + 5O2 4NO +6H2O +Heat

Step 2: Oxidation of Nitric Oxide

Nitric oxide combines with oxygen to form nitrogen dioxide at about 50°C.

2NO +O2 2NO2

Step 3: Absorption of Nitrogen Dioxide in Water

The nitrogen dioxide and oxygen present in the air react with water to form nitric acid.

4NO2 +2H2O +O2 → 4HNO3

Nitric acid obtained is concentrated above 50%. On further distillation, 68% nitric acid is produced.

RAHUL MEHRA/M-9873005334