OFFICIAL INORGANIC

COMPOUNDS
 INTRODUCTION
Inorganic compounds:
Any substance in which two or more chemical elements
usually other than carbon are combined, nearly always in
a definite proportion while the compounds of carbon are
classified as organic when carbon is bound to hydrogen.
In comparison with organic compounds, inorganic
compounds have following properties;
 Most have ionic bonds
 Exist in solid form with high melting points
 Many are soluble in water
 Reactions are often very fast.
OFFICIAL INORGANIC COMPOUNDS

Aluminium
hydroxide
Antimony
gluconate Ammonium
chloride

Ferrous
fumarate Sodium
carbonate

In organic
compounds
Ferrous Magnesium
sulphate carbonate

Silver Lithium
nitrate carbonate

Calcium Sodium
.

gluconate nitrite
 ALUMINIUM HYDROXIDE
Formula; Al(OH)3
Occurences:
Aluminum hydroxide is found in nature as the mineral
bayerite or gibbsite (also called hydrargillite). A mixed
aluminum oxide-hydroxide mineral is known as diaspore or
boehmite.
Properties:
 In a purified form, aluminum hydroxide is either a white bulky
powder or granules
 Density of about 2.42 g/mL.
 Aluminium hydroxide is amphoteric.
 It is insoluble in water, but soluble in strong acids and bases.
 PREPARATION
Virtually all the aluminium hydroxide used commercially is
manufactured by the Bayer process which involves
dissolving bauxite in sodium hydroxide at temperatures up to 270 °C
(518 °F). The waste solid, bauxite tailings, is removed and aluminium
hydroxide is precipitated from the remaining solution of sodium
aluminate. This aluminium hydroxide can be converted to aluminium
oxide or alumina by calcination
PREPARATION
 APPLICATIONS

Production of aluminum chemicals. Major products include alum (aluminum

sulfate), poly aluminum chloride (PAC), sodium aluminate, aluminum fluoride.

A raw material in the manufacture of glass, glazes and frits .

A raw material in catalyst production .

A flame retardant and smoke suppressant filler in plastics like:

cables, rubber products and carpet backing.
A raw material for fertilizers, and fibre cement board products.

An extender and bodying agent in paper, solvent- and water-borne

paints, UV curable coatings, inks, and adhesives.
A polishing and cleansing agent, mould wash and separating agent
 AMMONIUM CHLORIDE
Formula: NH4Cl; MW 53.49
Synonym: Sal ammoniac
Occurance:
Ammonium chloride occurs in nature in crevices near volcanoes. Also, it is found in
smoke when burning dry camel or donkey dung as fuel.
Properties:
 Colorless cubic crystals or white granular powder
 Saline taste and odorless
 Hygroscopic; does not melt but sublimes on heating at 340 °C
 solubility: readily dissolves in water, solubility lowered by alkali metal
chlorides and HCl; dissolution lowers the temperature of the solution;
sparingly soluble in alcohols (6 g/L at 19 °C) and soluble in liquid NH3;
insoluble in acetone and ether.
 PREPARATION
Ammonium chloride is produced as a by-product in the Solvay
process for manufacture of sodium carbonate:
NaCl + NH3 + CO2 + H2O → NaHCO3 + NH4Cl
NaHCO3 precipitate is filtered out of solution while NH4Cl is obtained
by crystallization followed by washing and drying. Ammonium
chloride also is produced from spent calcium chloride liquor obtained
in ammonia-soda process:
CaCl2 + 2NH3 + CO2 + H2O → Na2SO4 + 2 NH4Cl
It also is made by heating a mixture of slight excess of NaCl solution
with ammonium sulfate. The filtrate containing NH4Cl is concentrated
and cooled.
NH4Cl crystallizes (NH4 )2 SO4 + 2NaCl → Na2 SO4 + 2 NH4Cl
It is produced by direct neutralization reaction of NH3 and HCl combined as gaseous
mixtures. NH3 (g) + HCl(g) → NH4 Cl(s)
 APPLICATIONS
Important applications of this compound include the manufacture of
dry cells for batteries.
as a metal cleaner in soldering.

as a flux in tin coating and galvanizing.

in fertilizers.

In pharmaceutical applications as a diuretic, or diaphoretic,

expectorant; and as an analytical standard in ammonia analysis.
Also, it is used in freezing mixtures; washing powders; lustering
cotton; in safety explosives and in dyeing and tanning.
 SODIUM CARBONATE
Formula : Na2CO3 ; MW 105.99
Synonyms : The anhydrous salt Na2CO3 is also called “Solvay soda”
and “soda ash” (technical grade is about 99% purity). The decahydrate
Na2CO3•10H2O also is known as “washing soda” or “sal soda.”
OCCURRENCE:
Sodium carbonate occurs in nature as monohydrate in the mineral
thermos natrite. It also occurs naturally as the mineral natron or natrite
in its decahydrate form.
Properties:
 The anhydrous salt is an odorless white powder
 Alkaline taste and hygroscopic
 Soluble in water; insoluble in alcohol; dissolves in acids
liberating CO2
 Occurs in anhydrous form ,monohydrate and decahydrate from.
 PREPARATION
The Solvay process involves a series of partial reactions. The first step is calcination of calcium
carbonate to form lime and CO2. Lime is converted to calcium hydroxide. The most crucial step
of the process involves reacting brine solution with carbon dioxide and ammonia to produce
sodium bicarbonate and ammonium chloride. Sodium bicarbonate converts to sodium carbonate.
The calcium hydroxide and ammonium chloride react to form calcium chloride as the by-
product. The overall reaction:
CaCO3 + 2NaCl → Na2CO3 + CaCl2
 STEPS INVOLVED
The steps in solvay process:
1.Brine purification:

Brine is concentrated by evaporation. Impurities such as calcium,

magnesium and iron are removed by precipitation.
For example:
Ca+2(aq) + CO3-2(aq) ——–à CaCO3(s)
Mg+2(aq) + 2OH–(aq) ——àmg(OH)2(s)
Fe+3(aq) + 3OH–(aq) ——àFe(OH)3(s)
After removing the impurities Brine solution is then filtered and
passed through an ammonium tower to dissolve ammonia.
2.Formation of sodium bicarbonate:

Carbon dioxide is produced by the thermal decomposition of limestone.

CaCO3——-à CO2+CaO
Carbon dioxide is bubbled through the ammoniated Brine Solution in
the carbonating tower.
The carbon dioxide dissolves to form a weak acid:
CO2(g)+H2O(l)↔HCO3(aq)+H+(aq)
The ammonia in the brine reacts with H+ to form Ammonium ion.
NH3+H+↔NH4+
The bicarbonate ion reacts with Na+ to form sodium Hydrogen
carbonate (sodium bicarbonate).
Na++HCO3–↔NaHCO3(s)
Sodium bicarbonate precipitates
NH3(aq)+CO2+NaCl+H2O↔NaHCO3+NH4Cl
3.Formation of sodium carbonate:
The suspended sodium hydrogen carbonate is removed from the
carbonating tower and heated at 300°C to produce sodium carbonate.
2NaHCO3——–à Na2CO3+CO2+H2O
This CO2 is recycled back into the carbonating tower.

4.Ammonia recovery:
Calcium oxide which was formed as a byproduct of the thermal
decomposition of limestone in the lime kiln, react with water to form
calcium hydroxide
CaO(s)+ H2O(l)——–à> Ca(OH)2 (aq)
This calcium hydroxide reacts with ammonium chloride separated
out of the carbonating tower by filtration.
Ca(OH)2+2NH4Cl—-à CaCl2+2H2O+ 2NH3
The ammonia is recycled back into the process to form ammoniated
brime.
Calcium chloride is formed as a by-product of the solvey process.
 PREPARATION
The Solvay process involves a series of partial reactions. The first step is calcination of calcium
carbonate to form lime and CO2. Lime is converted to calcium hydroxide. The most crucial step
of the process involves reacting brine solution with carbon dioxide and ammonia to produce
sodium bicarbonate and ammonium chloride. Sodium bicarbonate converts to sodium carbonate.
The calcium hydroxide and ammonium chloride react to form calcium chloride as the by-
product. The overall reaction:
CaCO3 + 2NaCl → Na2CO3 + CaCl2
APPLICATIONS
Sodium carbonate is one of the most important salts of sodium, used in
manufacturing several other sodium salts.
Other major uses are in manufacturing glass, soaps and detergents, pulp,
and paper.
Also, it is used for washing textiles and wool, in cleaning preparations,
for bleaching linen and cotton, in water treatment.
Sodium carbonate is used as an emetic.

Sodium carbonate solution cleanses skin and softens skin rashes.

The salt is a common laboratory reagent with wide applications in

analytical chemistry.
 MAGNESIUM CARBONATE
Formula: MgCO3
MW 84.31
Occurrence:
Magnesium carbonate occurs in nature in several minerals as
hydrated, basic and double salts.
Properties
 White colored powder
 Insoluble in water, but readily dissolves in many acids to form
magnesium salts.
 odorless
 Stable in air
 PREPARATION
(1) Magnesium carbonate is obtained mainly by mining its natural
mineral magnesite. The trihydrate salt, MgCO3•3H2O, is prepared by
mixing solutions of magnesium and carbonate ions in the presence of
carbon dioxide.
Alternatively,
(2) It may be produced by carbonation of a magnesium hydroxide
slurry with carbon dioxide under pressure (3.5 to 5 atm) and at a
temperature below 50°C which yields soluble magnesium bicarbonate:
Mg(OH)2 + 2CO2 → Mg(HCO3)2
The solution is filtered to remove impurities and the filtrate is
subjected to vacuum or aeration to yield insoluble magnesium
carbonate as a hydrated salt.
 APPLICATIONS
Applications of magnesium carbonate are in flooring, fireproofing and fire
extinguishing compositions
As a filler material and smoke suppressant in plastics

As a drying agent and for color retention in foods; in cosmetics; in dusting

powder; and in toothpaste.
The high purity magnesium carbonate is used as an antacid in medicine

As an additive to table salt.

Another important application of magnesium carbonate is as a starting material

in producing a number of magnesium compounds.
 LITHIUM CARBONATE
Formula: Li2CO3
MW 73.89
Properties:
 White monoclinic crystals
 Melts at 723°C
 Low solubility in water (1.54 g/100g) at 0°C; 1.32 g//100g
at 20°C)
 Solubility decrease with temperature (0.72g/100g at
100°C)
 Insoluble in acetone and ethanol.
 PREPARATION
Lithium carbonate is obtained as an intermediate product in
recovery of lithium metal from its ore, spodumene. It is
prepared by mixing a hot and concentrated solution of
sodium carbonate with lithium chloride or sulfate solution.
Li2SO4 + Na2CO3 → Li2CO3 + Na2SO4
Lithium
chloride

Lithium
carbonate
Sodium
carbonate
 APPLICATIONS

Lithium carbonate is used in enamels.

It also is used as an additive to molten aluminum

fluoride electrolyte in Hall-Heroult process.
It is the starting material to prepare many other
lithium salts.
The compound also is used in medicine as an
antidepressant.
 SODIUM NITRITE
Chemical formula NaNO2
Occurrences:
Naturally occurring mineral. Can be mined or produced
chemically from sodium nitrate.
Properties:
 Sodium nitrite is white in color
 Crystalline powder in nature
 Very soluble in water
 Hygroscopic
 PREPARATION
The salt is prepared by treating sodium hydroxide with mixtures
of nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide.
2 NaOH + NO2 + NO → 2 NaNO2 + H2O
The conversion is sensitive to the presence of oxygen, which
can lead to varying amounts of sodium nitrate.
NO22

NaOH NO

Sodium
Mixture nitrite
(NaNO2) 
 APPLICATIONS

The main use of sodium nitrite is for the industrial production of organo-nitrogen
compounds.

Sodium nitrite is used together with sodium thiosulfate to treat cyanide poisoning.

Sodium nitrite is well known for its role in inhibiting the growth of clostridium
botulinum spores in refrigerated meats.

Sodium nitrite acts as an antioxidant and Inhibit lipid oxidation.

Also used in dyes, and pesticides.

 CALCIUM GLUCONATE
Chemical name; Calcium di-D-gluconate monohydrate
Formula; C12H22CaO14 · H2O
MW; 448.39
Properties:
 Odorless
 White in color
 Crystalline granules or powder
 Stable in air
 Slowly soluble in water
 PREPARATION
Calcium gluconate is commercially prepared by enzymatic
reaction. A solution is prepared by adding glucose, lactic acid
and demineralized water to a fermenter. Lactic acid is
neutralized with calcium hydroxide suspension. The enzymatic
conversion is started by addition GOD/Cat (glucose
oxidase/catalyse) enzyme. Thus the obtained solution contained
calcium, lactate and gluconate, and turned to dry matter. After
heating and filtration, the solution is spray dried, resulting in a
white powder
Glucose

Lactic acid Enzymatic

Fermenter
conversion
Spray
Demineralized Heating Filtration
drying
water
 APPLICATIONS

Calcium Gluconate is also used in the food industry as a nutrient supplements,

Buffering agents, curing agents in food production.
Firming agent in fried food and pastries to prevent oxidation and discoloration.

Stabilizer and texturizer in grain products and beverages

Acidity regulator and nutrient supplement.

As Nutritional therapy in treatment of skin diseases and calcium deficiency

disease.
 FERROUS SULFATE

Formula: FeSO4; MW 151.91

Synonyms: ferrous sulfate; green vitriol
Properties:
 White orthorhombic crystal
 Hygroscopic
 Soluble in water (26.6g/100g water at 20°C).
 The monohydrate is a yellowish-white monoclinic crystal and soluble
in water.
 Heptahydrate is bluish-green monoclinic crystal very soluble in water
and soluble in absolute methanol while slightly soluble in ethanol.
 PREPARATION
 Iron(II) sulfate in industrial scale is mostly produced in the
pickling process as a by-product of the steel industry. It is obtained
when the surface of steel is cleaned with dilute sulfuric acid to
remove metal impurities.
 In the laboratory iron(II) sulfate heptahydrate may be prepared by
dissolving iron in dilute sulfuric acid in a reducing atmosphere,
followed by crystallization:
Fe + H2SO4 → FeSO4 + H2
Alcohol may be added to the aqueous solution to speed up
crystallization. iron(II) may otherwise oxidize to iron(III) during a
slow crystallization process.

Iron + sulfuric
Dissolve Crystallization
acid
 APPLICATIONS

The compound is used as a mordant in dyeing. (a mordant or dye fixative is a

substance used to set dyes on fabrics or tissue sections )
As a component of writing ink.

In electroplating baths.

As a weed-killer.

In water purification.

A major application of this compound is in the manufacture of other iron(II)

salts including Prussian blue or ferric ferrocyanide.
Iron(II) sulfate also is used as a reducing agent and an analytical reagent (in
brown ring test for nitrate).
 SILVER NITRATE
Formula AgNO3
MW 169.87
Synonym: lunar caustic
Properties:
 Colorless
 Transparent
 Large rhombohedral crystals or white small crystals
 Bitter and caustic metallic taste
 Odorless
 Pure compound is not sensitive to light but trace organics promote photo
reduction.
 Very soluble in water and soluble in ethanol and acetone.
 PREPARATION

Silver nitrate is prepared by dissolving silver metal

in dilute nitric acid.
The solution is evaporated and residue is heated to
dull red heat with concentrated nitric acid to
decompose impurities such as copper nitrate.
Residue then is dissolved in water, filtered, and
recrystallized to obtain pure silver nitrate.
Dissolve
Evaporation Filtered
Silver & Heat Recrystallize Pure silver
metal+ Residue nitrate
nitric acid
APPLICATIONS
Silver nitrate is probably the most important silver salt, It is used to make most silver
salts.

It is used in photographic film, indelible ink (unwashable), and hair dyeing.

Other uses are in making silver mirrors

As a catalyst in preparing ethylene oxide.

Silver nitrate is a titrant in all argentometric titration (Mohr titrations This method
determines the chloride ion concentration of a solution by titration with silver nitrate.
As the silver nitrate solution is slowly added, a precipitate of silver chloride forms. ).

In medicine, it is a topical anti-infective, an antiseptic, and its dilute solution is an

eye lotion.
 FERROUS FUMARATE
Formula; C4H2FeO4
MW; 169.90
Properties:
 Reddish-orange to reddish-brown, granular powder
 Odorless; almost tasteless.
 Practically insoluble in water and common organic solvents including styrene
and a-methylstyrene.
Preparation:
Anhydrous ferrous fumarate is prepared by mixing a water-soluble ferrous salt and
a water-soluble salt of fumaric acid in aqueous medium at a temperature over about
70 C.
Applications
 Used as nutraceutical
 Supplement to prevent or treat low blood level of iron.
ANY QUESTIONS