Ammonium chloride
General Product Information
| Article | Ammonium chloride |
| Synonyms | E510, Sal ammoniac, Salmiac, Nushadir salt, Sal armagnac, Ammonium Muriate, Amchlor, Salt armoniack, Salmiak |
| CAS No. | 12125-02-9 |
| EEG No. | 017-014-00-8 |
| EINECS No. | 235-186-4 |
| IMO | – |
| Tariff Code | 28271000 |
| UN No. | – |
| VLG/ADR | – |
Description
Ammonium chloride is an inorganic compound widely used in various industrial and chemical Applications. It occurs as a white crystalline powder that is soluble in water and is often found in the Shape of granules or crystals. Ammonium chloride is a salt formed from the neutralization of ammonia (NH₃) with hydrochloric acid (HCl). It has several industrial applications, such as in Agriculture, Pharmaceutical Industry and the chemical sector.
Also available:
Ammonium chloride with AC (Technical Grade),
Ammonium chloride without AC (Technical Grade)
Characteristics
- Odor: Slightly ammonia-like.
- Hygroscopic: Absorbs moisture from the air.
- Color: White to Colorless.
- Grade: Food.
- Solubility: Highly soluble in water; moderate in ethanol; insoluble in ether.
- Flavor: Salt.
- Shape: Crystalline powder.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Chemical Structure | NH4Cl |
| Molar Weight | 53.49 g/mol |
| Melting Point | 338°C |
| Boiling Point | Sublimates at 520°C |
| Density | 1.527 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | – |
| pH | 4.5-5.0 (in solution) |
Interessing Links
- Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO) – Guidelines and standards for food additives and ingredients.
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – For chemical information and regulations.
- European Food Information Council (EFIC)
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) – Information on the safety and uses of food additives and ingredients.
- PubChem – Ammonium Chloride – Chemical information by the National Library of Medicine of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NIH-NCBI).
- Wikipedia – Ammonium chloride
Applications
Ammonium chloride is applied in various ways, for instance:
1. Food Industry
Applied in small amounts (as E number E510) as an acidity regulator or food additive, especially in licorice (salmiac).
2. Pharmaceutical Industry
In pharmacy, ammonium chloride is used in the production of cough syrups, where it is used as an expectorant (cough medicine) to promote mucus secretion.
3. Agriculture
Ammonium chloride is used as a fertilizer, especially in regions where the soil is deficient in nitrogen. It provides nitrogen in an easily absorbable form for crops.
4. Lubricants & Cleaners
In the metal industry, it is used as flux for soldering, and it is also a component of certain cleaners and disinfectants.
5. Chemical Industry
Ammonium chloride is often used in the production of electrolyte solutions for electroplating and in the zinc treatment industry.
6. Batteries & Accumulators
Ammonium chloride occurs as a component of certain types of dry batteries.