Ammonium Chloride - Features, Structure, Types, Formula, Uses, FAQs

Features of Ammonium Chloride

• Molecular Weight / Molar Mass of ammonium chloride is about 53.491 g / mol
• Density is approximately 1.53 g / cm³
• The melting point of Ammonium chloride is 338 °C

Health Effects of Ammonium Chloride

It is not at all dangerous, as overdose is possible. High blood pressure can be caused by ammonium chloride. Anger, shortness of breath, cough, nausea, and headache are all symptoms of ammonium chloride poisoning. Gases have the potential to cause eye discomfort. Chronic exposure can cause chest-like reactions or kidney failure. Ammonium chloride is used as a systemic acidifier in the treatment of severe metabolic alkalosis, in tests of oral acid delivery to identify distal renal tubular acidosis, and in the treatment of several urinary tract infections.

Ammonia Preparation- NH₃

Ammonia is easily made in the laboratory by burning salt, ammonium chloride, NH₄Cl, with strong alkali, such as sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide.

$2 \mathrm{NH}_4 \mathrm{Cl}+\mathrm{Ca}(\mathrm{OH})_2 \rightarrow \mathrm{CaCl}_2+2 \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}+2 \mathrm{NH}_3(\mathrm{~g})$

The gas can also be produced by the evaporation of concentrated ammonium hydroxide.

The main commercial method of producing ammonia is the Haber Process, a direct combination of nitrogen and hydrogen under high pressure, where there is a catalyst.

Structure of Ammonium Chloride

Ammonium chloride is a water-soluble and soluble compound. It contains nitrogen ions, four hydrogen atoms, and chloride ions.

Ammonium chloride is an ionic compound composed of ammonium ( $\mathrm{NH}_4{ }^{+}$) and chloride ( $\mathrm{Cl}^{-}$) ions.

1. Ionic Nature
$\mathrm{NH}_4 \mathrm{Cl}$ is made up of:

• A cation $\left(\mathrm{NH}_4{ }^{+}\right) \rightarrow$ tetrahedral shape
• An anion $\left(\mathrm{Cl}^{-}\right) \rightarrow$ spherical shape

These ions are held together by electrostatic (ionic) forces.

2. Structure in Solid State

• In the solid state, ammonium chloride has a crystal lattice similar to that of cesium chloride ( CsCl ).
• The $\mathrm{NH}_4{ }^{+}$ions and $\mathrm{Cl}^{-}$ions are alternately arranged in a cubic lattice.
• Each $\mathrm{NH}_4{ }^{+}$ion is surrounded by $8 \mathrm{Cl}^{-}$ions, and each $\mathrm{Cl}^{-}$ion is surrounded by $8 \mathrm{NH}_4{ }^{+}$ions.

3. Structure in Gaseous or Aqueous State
In the gaseous or aqueous state, $\mathrm{NH}_4 \mathrm{Cl}$ dissociates into ions:

$\mathrm{NH}_4 \mathrm{Cl} \rightarrow \mathrm{NH}_4^{+}+\mathrm{Cl}^{-}$

Chemical Formula of Ammonium Chloride

The ammonium chloride molecule contains nitrogen, chloride, and hydrogen atoms. The chemical or molecular formula of ammonium chloride is as follows-

Ammonium Chloride Chemical Formula = $\mathrm{NH}_4 \mathrm{Cl}$

Ammonium chloride is used in a number of fields, such as fertilizers, glue, medicines, food additives, cooling baths, and acidifiers. There are various uses of NH₄Cl, but their use should be limited due to the environmental risks they cause

Ammonium Chloride Uses

• It is used in fertilizers as a source of nitrogen.
• It is used medically (especially in cough medicines) as an expectorant.
• It is applied to a glue that helps to hold the plank.
• It is used in Leclanche cells for powerful solutions.
• It is used in food additives, in making bread as an ingredient of yeast.
• It is used as an acidifier.
• It is used to cool baths and achieve low temperatures.
• They are used as temporary solutions and ammonia.
• It is used as a food additive in cattle.

Related Topics

• Bleaching powder and sodium hydroxide
• Introduction to P Block Elements
• Borax Formula
• Amphoteric oxides

Sublimation of Ammonium Chloride

Sublimation is the substance of an object by which it is converted directly from a solid to a gas or vice versa. Such things are known as sublime.

Take a mixture of ammonium chloride and salt in a Chinese bowl, to cover it with a circular turning tube. On the other side of the panel, place a cotton plug to keep smoke out. Now place the china dish on the stove. Since ammonium chloride is low after heating, it will convert directly into steam. This vapor will also turn into the colder part above to form a solid ammonium chloride. In this way, the mixture of ammonium chloride and salt can be separated by sublimation.

When the ammonium chloride is dissolved in water, the solution then becomes cold. The change is Endothermic because heat is absorbed.

Types of Bond in NH₄Cl

• NH₄Cl is a rare compound with the chemical name Ammonium chloride. The common names of ammonium chloride are Sal ammoniac, ammonia salt, and hydrogen chloride. Ammonium chloride helps maintain pH and has a mild effect on diarrhea.
• In the NH₄Cl molecule, an ionic bond is formed between NH₄⁺ and Cl^- ions
• 3 covalent bonds are formed between N and 3H atoms.
• A single bond is formed between N and one H atom.
• Molar mass of ammonium chloride: 53.491 g/mol
• NH₄Cl colour: White Crystalline Solid

Also check-

Some Solved Examples

Question 1: The gas produced by treating an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride with sodium nitrite is
1) $\mathrm{NH}_3$
2) (correct) $\mathrm{N}_2$
3) $\mathrm{N}_2 \mathrm{O}$
4) $\mathrm{Cl}_2$

Solution:

Ammonium chloride reacts with sodium nitrite and forms ammonium nitrite, which gives $\mathrm{N}_2$ gas.

$\mathrm{NH}_4 \mathrm{Cl}+\mathrm{NaNO}_2 \rightarrow \mathrm{NH}_4 \mathrm{NO}_2 \longrightarrow \mathrm{~N}_2+\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}$
Hence, the answer is option (2).

Question 2:

What will be the product obtained when Ammonium Nitrate is heated?

$\mathrm{NH}_4 \mathrm{NO}_3 \rightarrow \text { Products }$

1) $\mathrm{N}_2+2 \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}+\mathrm{O}$

2) $\mathrm{N}_2 \mathrm{O}_2+\mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}+\mathrm{H}_2$

3) (correct) $\mathrm{N}_2 \mathrm{O}+2 \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}$

4) None of these

Solution:

As we have learned,
Heating of ammonium nitrate produces Nitric Oxide. It is a dehydration reaction.
$\mathrm{NH}_4 \mathrm{NO}_3 \rightarrow \mathrm{~N}_2 \mathrm{O}+2 \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}$
Hence, the answer is option (3).

Question 3: Ammonium chloride is a:
A) Covalent compound
B) Ionic compound
C) Coordinate compound
D) Both ionic and covalent

Solution:

Inside the ammonium ion (NH₄⁺), nitrogen forms covalent bonds with hydrogen, but the NH₄⁺ ion and Cl⁻ ion are held together by ionic bonds. Hence, NH₄Cl shows both ionic and covalent character.

Hence, the answer is option (D).

Question 4: On heating ammonium chloride, it:
A) Decomposes into ammonia and hydrogen
B) Sublimes without decomposition
C) Decomposes into ammonia and hydrogen chloride gases
D) Melts without decomposition

Solution:

$\mathrm{NH}_4 \mathrm{Cl}(\mathrm{~s}) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{NH}_3(\mathrm{~g})+\mathrm{HCl}(\mathrm{~g})$
This is a reversible reaction showing thermal dissociation.

Hence, the answer is option (C).

Practice More Questions with the Link Given Below