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]]