Ammonium Chloride (AMCL)

Ammonium chloride is a white, crystalline inorganic compound with the chemical formula NH4Cl. It is widely used in various industrial, agricultural, and pharmaceutical applications.

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Molecular Formula: NH4Cl
• Molecular Weight: 53.49 g/mol
• Appearance: White crystalline powder or granules
• Odor: Odorless or slightly saline
• Solubility: Highly soluble in water
• At 100°C: ~77 g/100 mL
• Melting Point: Sublimates at 338°C without melting
• pH: Slightly acidic in aqueous solution (pH ~4.5–6)

Applications

Agriculture:

• Used as a nitrogen source in fertilizers, particularly for rice and wheat crops.
• Improves soil acidity in alkaline soils.

Pharmaceuticals:

• Used in expectorants to loosen phlegm in cough medicines.
• Acts as a urinary acidifier to treat metabolic alkalosis.

Food Industry:

• Used as a food additive (E510) in some licorice products and breadmaking.

Industrial Applications:

• In galvanizing, tinning, and soldering to clean metal surfaces.
• Used in dry cell batteries as an electrolyte.

Laboratory Use:

• Commonly employed in buffer solutions to maintain pH levels.

Pyrotechnics:

• Utilized in the production of smokes and fireworks due to its ability to produce dense white smoke when heated.