Ammonium sulfate
1536137
224809831
2008-07-10T14:48:22Z
64.69.111.10
/* Uses */
{{Chembox new
| ImageFile = Ammonium sulfate.png
| 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
| PubChem =
| SMILES = [O-]S([O-])(=O)=O.[NH4+].[NH4+]
}}
| Section2 = {{Chembox Properties
| Formula = (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>
| MolarMass = 132.14 g/mol
| Appearance = Fine white [[hygroscopic]] granules or crystals.
| Density = 1.77 g/cm³ @ 50 °C (122 °F)
| MeltingPtCL = 235
| MeltingPtCH = 280
| Melting_notes = decomposes
| BoilingPt =
| CriticalRelativeHumidity = 79.2% at 30 °C
| Solubility = 70.6 g/100 mL (0 °C) and<br/>103.8 g/100 mL (100 °C)<ref>Handbook of Chemistry and Physics</ref>
}}
| Section3 = {{Chembox Hazards
| MainHazards =
| FlashPt =
| Autoignition =
}}
| Section10 = {{Chembox Related
| OtherCpds = [[Mohr's salt|Ammonium iron sulfate]] }}
}}
'''Ammonium sulfate''', ((NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>), is an inorganic chemical compound commonly used as a fertilizer. It contains 21% nitrogen as ammonium ions and 24% sulfur as sulfate ions.
== Properties ==
[[Ammonium]] [[sulfate]] is not soluble in [[alcohol]] or liquid [[ammonia]]. The compound is slightly [[hygroscopic]] and absorbs water from the air at [[relative humidity]] > 81% (at ca. 20°C).
== Synthesis ==
Ammonium sulfate is prepared commercially by reacting [[ammonia]] with [[sulfuric acid]] (H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>). Ammonium sulfate is prepared commercially from the ammoniacal liquor of [[gasification|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 soil]]s. 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 [[insecticide]]s, [[herbicide]]s, and [[fungicide]]s. 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 by precipitation. As such, Ammonium sulfate is also listed as an ingredient for many United States vaccines per the Center for Disease Control.<ref>[http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf Pink Book | Appendix B: Vaccine Excipient & Media Summary, Part 2<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
Ammonium sulfate is also a food additive.<ref>[http://www.panerabread.com/menu/nutrition/profile.php?id=17 Panera Bread › Menu & Nutrition › Nutrition Information Profile<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
== References ==
<references/>
== Further reading ==
* Properties: UNIDO and International Fertilizer Development Center (1998), ''Fertilizer Manual'', Kluwer Academic Publishers, ISBN 0-7923-5032-4.
[[Category:Ammonium compounds]]
[[Category:Sulfates]]
[[Category:Fire suppression agents]]
[[Category:Agricultural chemicals]]
[[ar:كبريتات أمونيوم]]
[[bg:Амониев сулфат]]
[[da:Svovlsur ammoniak]]
[[de:Ammoniumsulfat]]
[[fr:Sulfate d'ammonium]]
[[it:Solfato d'ammonio]]
[[lt:Amonio sulfatas]]
[[hu:Ammónium-szulfát]]
[[nl:Ammoniumsulfaat]]
[[ja:硫酸アンモニウム]]
[[pl:Siarczan(VI) amonu]]
[[ru:Сульфат аммония]]
[[sl:Amonijev sulfat]]
[[sv:Ammoniumsulfat]]
[[th:แอมโมเนียมซัลเฟต]]
[[uk:Амонію сульфат]]
[[zh:硫酸铵]]