All About Ammonia

Ammonia (NH₃) is one of the most commonly produced industrial chemicals in the United States. It is used in industry and commerce, and also exists naturally in humans and in the environment. Ammonia is essential for many biological processes and serves as a precursor for amino acid and nucleotide synthesis. In the environment, ammonia is part of the nitrogen cycle and is produced in soil from bacterial processes. Ammonia is also produced naturally from decomposition of organic matter, including plants, animals and animal wastes.

Ammonia, at room temperature is a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent smell. It is lighter than air, its density being 0.589 times that of air. It is easily liquefied due to the strong hydrogen bonding between molecules; the liquid boils at -33.5 °C, and solidifies at -77.7 °C to white crystals. It has a molar mass of 17g /mol. It is soluble in water, it will reversibly form nitrogen and hydrogen gas, and it will act as an alkali when dissolved in water. The molecule is triangular planar and have bond angles of 120. The polarity of NH3 molecules and their ability to form hydrogen bonds explains the high solubility of ammonia in water. However, a chemical reaction also occurs when ammonia dissolves in water.

• In pure form, it is known as anhydrous ammonia and is hygroscopic (readily absorbs moisture).
• Ammonia has alkaline properties and is corrosive.
• Ammonia gas dissolves easily in water to form ammonium hydroxide, a caustic solution and weak base.
• Ammonia gas is easily compressed and forms a clear liquid under pressure.
• Ammonia is usually shipped as a compressed liquid in steel containers.
• Ammonia is not highly flammable, but containers of ammonia may explode when exposed to high heat.