Ammonium Acetate: Overview, Questions, Preparation

Ammonium acetate, popularly known as the spirit of Mindereus in an aqueous form, as well as ammonium ethanoate and Azanium, is a compound with the formula NH4CH3CO2. It’s white in colour and obtained from the reaction of acetic acid and ammonia. It can be easily found in any nearby shops, as ammonium salt and acetate salt.

Uses of Ammonium acetate

Some of the uses of ammonium acetate are mentioned below:

•       It is a de-icing agent.
•       This compound can be used as a catalyst in the Knoevenagel condensation process.
•       It helps in removing contaminants and impurities while working as the precipitating agent.
•       It is extensively used in the agriculture industry for the determination of the soil exchange capacity.
•       Ammonium acetate can also be used as a food additive.
•       It is used in manufacturing skin lotions, shampoos, conditioners, and more.

Ammonium Acetate is produced through a reaction of acetic acid and ammonium carbonate or a reaction of acetic acid and ammonia. However, it is difficult to obtain due to its hygroscopic nature. The compound is not present in a free state and has to be prepared chemically. The ammonium acetate chemical component is seen to be volatile at low pressures because it has previously been used to replace cell buffers with non-volatile salts to prepare chemical samples.

2CH3COOH + (NH4)2CO3→ 2CH3COONH4+ H2CO3

H2CO3→ CO2+ H2O

CH3COOH + NH3→ CH3COONH4

Physical Properties of Ammonium Acetate

•       This compound looks like a white crystalline solid, but it causes damage or hazard to the environment.
•       It is acetous in odour.
•       The melting point of ammonium acetate is 237.2 °F.
•       Ammonium acetate has a density of 1.17 at 68 °F.
•       It is used in making foam rubber.
•       It’s also used in manufacturing vinyl plastics.

Chemical Properties of Ammonium Acetate

•       The molecular weight of C2H7NO2 is 77.083 g/mol.
•       The density of ammonium acetate is 1.17 g/cm3.
•       The melting point of ammonium acetate is 113 °C.
•       The viscosity of ammonium acetate is 21.

Safety and Health Hazard

•       The dust from this compound irritates the mouth and nose. This dust is harmful to the stomach as well.
•       This compound has combustion properties. Vapours of ammonia acetic acid might cause a fire.

·       It causes the decomposition of the compound sodium hypochlorite within one or two seconds.

Q. What are the uses of ammonium acetate?

Q. How is ammonium acetate prepared?

Q. Comment on the solubility of ammonium acetate.

Q. Show how ammonium acetate is a precursor of acetamide?

Q. Write a reaction involving ammonium acetate.