Ammonium hydroxide is a chemical compound, a solution of ammonia in water.
It is in the form of a liquid with a pungent ammonia odour, easily soluble in water, weakly alkaline, with an ionisation constant. The percentage of ammonia generally varies from 10% to 50%.
What it is used for and where it is used
Food
Ingredient included in the list of European food additives as E527, acidity regulator and pH control agent. It is generally considered a safe component.
Cosmetics.
It is a restricted ingredient III/4 as a Relevant Item in the Annexes of the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009
Buffering agent. It is an iingredient that can bring an alkaline or acid solution to a certain pH level and prevent it from changing, in practice a pH stabiliser that can effectively resist instability and pH change.
Denaturant. The ionic or polar molecules of this ingredient included in formulations that interact with protein groups, modulate the properties of the solution to suit specific needs.
Pharmaceutical.
It relieves pain, itching and irritation caused by insect bites.
Chemistry.
Analytical reagent, neutraliser, alkaloid leaching agent, tests and determines nickel and copper. Determines colorimetry. Precipitates hydroxides of various elements, preparation of ammonium compounds. Can react with silver chloride to generate silver ammonia [Ag(NH3)2]Cl, which can dissolve some insoluble salts. Generates ammonium salt which, when burned, generates nitrogen, in reaction with acid.
Typical optimal commercial product characteristics Ammonium hydroxide
Appearance | Liquid with a pungent odour of ammonia |
Density | 0.91 g/mL at 20°C |
Boiling Point | 36°C |
Melting Point | -77°C |
Explosive limit | 27% |
NH3
| 20% |
Residue | 0.3% |
Chromaticity | 80 |
Safety | |
- Molecular Weight H5NO NH4OH
- Molecular Weight 35.046 g/mol
- Exact Mass 35.037113
- CAS 1336-21-6
- UNII
- EC Number 215-647-6
- DSSTox Substance ID DTXSID4020080
- IUPAC azanium;hydroxide
- InChI=1S/H3N.H2O/h1H3;1H2
- InChl Key VHUUQVKOLVNVRT-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- SMILES [NH4+].[OH-]
- MDL number MFCD00066650
- PubChem Substance ID
- ChEBI 18219
- ICSC 0215
- Beilstein 3587154
- RTECS BQ9625000
- UN 2672
Synonyms:
- Ammonia aqueous
- Ammonium hydroxide solution
- Aquammonia