Ammonium Chloride CAS No. 12125-02-9

Product Description

Ammonium chloride is a white, odorless, hygroscopic crystalline salt that is highly soluble in water and dissociates into NH₄⁺ and Cl⁻ ions. Its aqueous solutions are weakly acidic (pH 4.5–6.0) because the ammonium ion hydrolyzes to release hydronium ions. Although it has a nominal melting point of 338 °C, it sublimes before melting and decomposes at 520 °C into ammonia and hydrogen chloride gases. Industrially produced by reacting ammonia with hydrochloric acid or recovered as a by-product of the Solvay process, ammonium chloride finds wide application as a nitrogen fertilizer for rice and wheat, a flux for cleaning metal surfaces during soldering, an electrolyte in zinc–carbon dry cells, and a food additive (E510, “salmiac”) that acts as a yeast nutrient and dough conditioner. It has also served historically as an expectorant in cough medicines and remains a common laboratory reagent for buffer solutions and pH control. While generally safe in small amounts, it is an irritant and can be harmful if inhaled or ingested in large quantities; heating it in sealed containers must be avoided to prevent dangerous pressure build-up from evolved NH₃ and HCl gases.

Product Use & Characteristics

Properties and Characteristics

• Chemical Formula: NH₄Cl

• Molecular Weight: 53.49 g/mol

• Appearance: White crystalline solid

• Solubility: Highly soluble in water (37%)

• pH in Solution: Slightly acidic (due to NH₄⁺ hydrolysis)

• Melting Point: 338°C (sublimes before melting)

• Boiling Point: 520°C (decomposes into NH₃ and HCl)

Synthesis Methods

• Common Production Method: Reaction of ammonia (NH₃) with hydrochloric acid (HCl)

• Byproduct: Obtained as a byproduct in the Solvay process for producing sodium carbonate

Uses

• Fertilizers: Used as a nitrogen source in fertilizers, especially for crops like rice and wheat

• Flux in Soldering: Cleans metal surfaces during soldering processes

• Food Additive (E510): Acts as a yeast nutrient and dough conditioner

• Laboratory Reagent: Used in buffer solutions and for generating ammonia gas

• Dry Cell Batteries: Used as an electrolyte in zinc-carbon batteries

• Cement and Concrete: Used in research to improve calcium leaching resistance in high SCM content cement

Safety and Handling

• Irritant: Dust may irritate eyes, skin, and the respiratory tract

• Toxicity: Harmful if ingested in large amounts (can cause metabolic acidosis)

• Storage: Should be stored in a cool, dry place away from strong bases or oxidizing agents

• Environmental Hazard: Immediate steps should be taken to limit its spread to the environment

Additional Information

• Role: Acts as a ferroptosis inhibitor

• Applications: Used in various industrial processes and research studies, including improving the calcium leaching resistance of cement-based materials

Why us!

Qingdao Sigma Chemical Co., Ltd., established in January 2017 and headquartered in Qingdao, China, is a reliable chemical supplier. Specializing in pharmaceuticals, biochemical intermediates, and research chemicals, the company offers a diverse product portfolio, including peptides (e.g., Tirzepatide, Semaglutide), nootropics, veterinary products, and APIs, often marketed with ≥99% purity and COA certification. We provides R&D, custom synthesis, and contract manufacturing services at various scales, while claiming a global export presence across 100+ countries. With international warehouses in the USA, Europe, Australia, and Canada, Qingdao Sigma Chemical also facilitates drop-shipping and reshipments, positioning itself as a key supplier for laboratory and research applications.