Ammonium nitrate

 

Ammonium nitrate

Chemical formula	NH4NO3
OTP appearance	white/grey solid
Molar Mass(g/mol)	80.043
Density(g/cc)	1.725
Melting Point(°C)	169.6
Boiling Point(°C)	210 (decomp)
NFPA 704	0 1 3 OX
Thermal Decomposition	Ammonium nitrate 210°C N2O,2 H2O

Ammonium Nitrate only follows ammonia and nitric acid at the "Top of the nitrogen chemistry" chart. It is used for many many purposes, from fertilizers to explosives to cold packs.

Uses

Primary

• Fertilizer (34-0-0)
• Energetic material for mining and construction

Secondary

• Cold packs

Hazards

• Ammonium Nitrate is an explosive on its own. Sufficient heat (210°C) or shock can cause it to explode.

Synthesis

The syntheses below start with ammonia and a source of the nitrate ion, then use an acid to link one to the other.

From nitric acid

Combine ammonia with nitric acid

NH₃ + HNO₃ → NH₄NO₃

From sodium bisulfate

1. Gather 22 units by weight of sodium bisulfate
2. Gather 27 units by weight of saltpeter
3. Gather ammonia
4. Gather water
5. Mix the sodium bisulfate and saltpeter as powders completely
6. Add water to the mixture until it just dissolves
7. Add ammonia to the solution until it is neutral (see pH for testing)
8. Evaporate or boil the mixture until crystals begin to form
9. Cool (chill) the solution overnight.

   Check: After cooling, it should contain two layers: cloudy crystals at the bottom and clear fluid at the top.

10. Filter the solution
11. Set aside the residue
12. Dry the solution completely
13. Dissolve the crystals in methanol
14. Filter the solution
15. Retain the residue, it is mostly sodium sulfate
16. Evaporate the filtrate completely
17. The evaporite is ammonium nitrate