Ammonium Chloride - NH4Cl

Ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) is a versatile inorganic compound with a wide range of applications. It is produced through the reaction of ammonia (NH₃) with hydrochloric acid (HCl). This gives it a unique combination of nitrogen from the ammonia and chlorine from the hydrochloric acid.

Let's learn about Ammonium Chloride in detail, including its formula, structure, properties and uses.

Ammonium Chloride Formula

The chemical formula of Ammonium Chloride is NH₄Cl. It is also known as sal ammoniac, the salt of ammonia and hydrogen chloride.

It is a by-product of sodium carbonate and also has both diuretic and expectorant effects. it appears as a crystalline salt.

Structure of NH₄Cl

Ammonium chloride consists of ammonium cations (NH⁴⁺) and chloride anions (Cl^-) arranged in a crystalline lattice structure. This ionic compound exhibits a cubic crystal system, where the ions are held together through strong ionic bonds.

Properties of Ammonium Chloride (NH₄Cl)

Preparation of Ammonium Chloride (NH₄Cl)

Ammonium chloride is prepared by reaction of ammonia (NH3) with hydrogen chloride.

NH₃ + HCl → NH₄Cl

This is also formed as the by-product of the Solvay process. In this process carbon dioxide and ammonia are passed into a cold saturated solution of sodium chloride.

CO₂ + 2 NH₃ + 2NaCl + H₂O → 2 NH₄Cl + Na₂CO₃ 

Chemical Properties of Ammonium Chloride (NH₄Cl)

• At the time of decomposition, Ammonium Chloride produces ammonia gas and hydrogen chloride.

NH₄Cl → NH₃ + HCl

• It also reacts with sodium hydroxide to produce ammonia gas.

NH₄Cl + NaOH → NH₃ + NaCl + H₂O

• To produce sodium chloride and ammonia gas Ammonium chloride also reacts with sodium carbonate .

2 NH₄Cl + Na₂CO₃ → 2 NaCl + CO₂ + H₂O + 2 NH₃

Uses of Ammonium Chloride

Here is a list of uses of Ammonium Chloride :

• Ammonium Chloride is used in fertilizers as a nitrogen source and is highly used in the crops of rice and wheat.
• It is used in medicine as an expectorant, especially in cough medicine. It is useful to reduce nausea and vomiting. It is also useful in the test to diagnose distal renal tubular acidosis too.
• It is used in glue which helps to bond plywood.
• In aqueous solutions. It is used in Leclanche cells
• It is used in food additives in bread making as a yeast nutrient. Salmiak is a dark sweet in which Ammonium chloride is used to spice up.
• It is used as an acidifier.
• It is used in cooling baths to create low temperatures.
• It is used as buffer solutions along with ammonia.
• It is given to cattle as feed supplements.