South-West University “Neofit Rilski”

Theme: Ammonia

Изготвил: Мария Везарова

Специалност: Медицинска химия
Факултетен номер: 22251121009
Проверил: / ас. Д-р. Радослав Чайров /
 Introduction:
Ammonia or azane is a compound of nitrogen and
hydrogen with the formula NH3. It is a colorless gas with a
characteristic pungent smell, which is very common in
toilets sometime. 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 and
animals.
Physical Properties of Ammonia:

• Ammonia is a colourless gas with a characteristic

pungent smell. It has a bitter burning taste.
• It is lighter than air.
• It is highly soluble in water and the solution is basic in
nature. One volume of water dissolves 1300 volumes
of ammonia at 0°C and 760 mm. The extreme
solubility of ammonia in water can be demonstrated by
the Fountain Experiment as in case of HCl gas.
• It can be liquefied to a colourless liquid (boiling
point, -33.4°C) and frozen to a snowy white solid
(melting point, -78°C).
 • Its concentrated solution is corrosive to the skin.

Chemical Properties of Ammonia:

(1) Basic Nature- Ammonia is basic in nature. It turns
moist red litmus paper blue, turmeric paper brown and
phenolphthalein pink. It dissolves in water to give
ammonium hydroxide.
NH3 + H2O ————-> NH4OH
On interaction with acids like HCl etc., it forms the
corresponding salt.

NH3 + HCl ————-> NH4Cl

2) Combustion- Ammonia is neither combustible nor a
supporter of combustion.
(3) Oxidation- (a) Under suitable conditions, ammonia
burns in an atmosphere of oxygen with a greenish-yellow
flame giving rise to the formation of nitrogen and water.
 4NH3 + 3O2 ————-> 2N2 + 6H2O

(b) On passing over heated copper oxide, ammonia is

oxidized to form nitrogen.

2NH3 + 3CuO ————-> N2 + 3Cu + 3H2O

(c) Ammonia mixed with air or oxygen in the presence of
platinum gauze as a catalyst at 800-850°C, is oxidized to
nitric oxide (NO).
4NH3 + 5O2 ————-> 4NO + 6H2O
(4) Dissociation- Ammonia dissociates into nitrogen and
hydrogen when it is heated to above 1100°C or subjected
to electric sparks.

2NH3 ————-> N2 + 3H2

(5) Action of Halogens- Ammonia is oxidized by
halogens.
Action of chlorine- When ammonia is in excess, nitrogen
is evolved.

8NH3 + 3Cl2 ————-> N2 + 6NH4Cl

When chlorine is in excess, nitrogen trichloride (a highly
explosive compound) is formed.
 NH3 + 3Cl2 ————-> NCl3 + 3HCl
Bromine also behaves in the same way towards ammonia.
6) Action of Metals- Ammonia reacts with metals at
elevated temperatures giving rise to the formation of
either amides or nitrides. For example-
2NH3 + 2Na ————-> 2NaNH2 (Sodamide) + H2
2NH3 + 3Mg ————-> Mg3N2 (Magnesium nitride)
+ 3H2
2NH3 + 2Al ————-> 2AlN (Aluminium nitride) +
3H2
(7) Reactions of Ammonium Hydroxide- Ammonia
dissolves in water to give ammonium hydroxide. The
aqueous solution of ammonia is basic in nature.

NH3 + H2O ————-> NH4OH

Significanc and uses:

Ammonia in Fertilizer
Ammonia is a basic building block for ammonium nitrate
fertilizer, which releases nitrogen, an essential nutrient for
growing plants, including farm crops and lawns. About 90
percent of ammonia produced worldwide is used in
fertilizer, to help sustain food production for billions of
people around the world. The production of food crops
naturally depletes soil nutrient supplies. In order to
maintain healthy crops, farmers rely on fertilizer to keep
their soils productive. Fertilizers also can also help
increase levels of essential nutrients like zinc, selenium
and boron in food crops.

Ammonia in Household Cleaning Products

Ammonium hydroxide – commonly known as household
ammonia – is an ingredient in many household cleaning
products used to clean a variety of surfaces including
tubs, sinks, toilets, countertops and tiles. Ammonia also is
effective at breaking down household grime or stains
from animal fats or vegetable oils, such as cooking grease
and wine stains. Because ammonia evaporates quickly, it
is commonly used in glass cleaning solutions to help
avoid streaking.

Ammonia in Industrial/Manufacturing Uses

When used as a refrigerant gas and in air-conditioning
equipment, ammonia can absorb substantial amounts of
heat from its surroundings. Ammonia can be used to
purify water supplies and as a building block in the
manufacture of many products including plastics,
explosives, fabrics, pesticides and dyes. Ammonia also is
used in the waste and wastewater treatment, cold storage,
rubber, pulp and paper and food and beverage industries
as a stabilizer, neutralizer and a source of nitrogen. It also
is used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals.
 Safety Information
When using cleaning products containing ammonia,
follow all instructions on the product label, make sure the
area is well ventilated (open windows and doors) and
wear proper clothing and eye protection. Ammonia
exposure can irritate skin, eyes and lungs. Do not mix
ammonia with chlorine bleach, as this produces toxic
gases called chloramines. Exposure to chloramine gases
can cause coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain,
nausea, irritation to the throat, nose and eyes or
pneumonia and fluid in the lungs.

Swallowing a cleaning product that contains ammonia can

burn the mouth, throat, and stomach and cause severe
abdominal pain.