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Ammonium Sulfate




  ImageSize 150px
  IUPACName Ammonium sulfate
  OtherNames ammonium sulfate (2:1)<br>diammonium sulfate<br>sulfuric acid diammonium salt<br> Mascagnite <br>Actamaster<br>Dolamin
  Section1 {{Chembox Identifiers
  CASNo 7783-20-2
  SMILES {Link without Title} S( {Link without Title} )(=O)=O {Link without Title} {Link without Title}


  Section2 {{Chembox Properties
  Formula (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>
  MolarMass 13214 g/mol
  Appearance Fine white Hygroscopic granules or crystals
  Density 177 g/cm³ @ 50 °C (122 °F)
  MeltingPtCL 235
  MeltingPtCH 280
  Melting Notes decomposes
  CriticalRelativeHumidity 792% at 30 °C
  Solubility 706 g/100 mL (0 °C) and<br/>1038 g/100 mL (100 °C)Handbook of Chemistry and Physics


  Section3 {{Chembox Hazards


  Section10 {{Chembox Related




Ammonium sulfate, ((NH4)2SO4), is an inorganic chemical compound commonly used as a fertilizer. It contains 21% nitrogen as ammonia and 24% sulfur as sulfate. Its molecular formula is closely related to Mohr's Salt an ammonium sulfate analogue with an iron atom within the compound.


PROPERTIES

Ammonium Sulfate is not soluble in Alcohol or liquid Ammonia , but is highly Hygroscopic and spontaneously absorbs water from the air at Relative Humidity > 81%.


SYNTHESIS

Ammonium sulfate is prepared commercially by reacting Ammonia with Sulfuric Acid (H2SO4). Ammonium sulfate is prepared commercially from the ammoniacal liquor of Gas-works and is purified by recrystallisation. It forms large Rhombic prisms, has a somewhat saline taste and is easily soluble in water. The aqueous solution on boiling loses some Ammonia and forms an acid sulfate.


USES

It is used largely as an artificial fertilizer for alkaline soils. In the soil the sulfate ion is released and forms Sulfuric Acid , lowering the PH balance of the Soil (as do other sulfate compounds such as aluminium sulfate), while contributing essential Nitrogen for plant growth.

It is also used as an agricultural spray adjuvant for water soluble insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. There it functions to bind iron and calcium cations that are present in both well water and plant cells. It is particularly effective as an adjuvant for 2,4-D (amine), glyphosate, and glufosinate herbicides.

It is also used in the preparation of other ammonium salts.

In Biochemistry Ammonium Sulfate Precipitation is a common method for purifying Protein s.

Ammonium Sulfate is also listed as an ingredient for many United States vaccines per the Center for Disease Control. http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf

Ammonium Sulfate is also a food additive.
http://www.panerabread.com/menu/nutrition/profile.php?id=17


REFERENCES



FURTHER READING

  • Properties: UNIDO and International Fertilizer Development Center (1998), ''Fertilizer Manual'', Kluwer Academic Publishers, ISBN 0-7923-5032-4.