Ammonium Sulfate –

What is Ammonium Sulfate?

Ammonium Sulfate is an inorganic salt with a chemical formula (NH₄)₂SO₄

Ammonium Sulfate is non-hazardous to human. It is also known as Diammonium sulfate or Sulphuric acid diammonium salt. It has no smell and dissolves in water easily. It does not dissolve in acetone. It appears as a crystalline solid white and has a salty taste. It is widely used as a fertilizer for soil which contains 21% nitrogen and 24% sulphur.

Ammonium Sulfate Structure – (NH4)2SO4

Chemical Data of Ammonium Sulfate – (NH4)2SO4

(NH4)2SO4	Ammonium Sulfate
Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass	132.14 g/mol
Density	1.77 g/cm³
Appears	Fine white crystals or hygroscopic granules
Melting Point	235 to 280 °C

Preparation of Ammonium Sulfate (NH4)2SO4

Ammonium sulfate occurs naturally from the mineral mascagnite in volcanic fumaroles and due to coal fires on some dumps.
Ammonium sulfate is formed by adding finely divided gypsum to an ammonium carbonate solution.

(NH₄)₂CO₃ + CaSO₄ → (NH₄)₂SO₄ + CaCO₃

Ammonium sulfate is also formed by treating ammonia with sulphuric acid.

2 NH₃ + H₂SO₄ → (NH₄)₂SO₄

Chemical Properties of Ammonium Sulfate (NH4)2SO4

Ammonium sulfate decomposes upon heating above 250 °C, forming ammonium bisulfate. heating at higher temperatures results in decomposition into ammonia, nitrogen, sulfur dioxide, and water.

(NH₄)₂SO₄ → (NH₄)HSO₄ + NH₃

Uses of Ammonium Sulfate (NH4)2SO4

It is used in the chemical fractionation of proteins
It is used as a food additive
It is used as a flame retardant
It is used in the precipitation of ammonium per sulfate and other ammonium salts
It is used as a vaccine to control various diseases
It is used as a cleaning additive
It is used as a pH controller for solutions and cultures
It is used in wall board as a binding material
It is used in the tanning of leather
It is used in medicine as it is safe for consumption
It is used as a dough conditioner in bread products
It is used in textile industries