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General
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| Name | Ammonium chloride |
| Chemical formula | NH4Cl |
| Appearance | white crystalline powder |
Physical
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| Formula weight | 53.4913 |
| Melting point | 338°C (640F) sublimes |
| Boiling point | 520°C (968F) |
| Density | 1.527 |
| Crystal structure | Isometric |
| Solubility | 29.7g/100g water @ 0°C |
Thermochemistry
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| ΔfH0gas | kJ/mol |
| ΔfH0liquid | kJ/mol |
| ΔfH0solid | -314.55 kJ/mol |
| S0gas, 1 bar | J/mol·K |
| S0liquid, 1 bar | J/mol·K |
| S0solid | 94.85 J/mol·K |
Safety
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| Ingestion | Induce vomiting. If victim is conscious and alert, give 2-4 cupfuls of milk or water.Seek medical help |
| Inhalation | Remove from exposure to fresh air. Seek medical help |
| Skin | Wash off with plenty of soap and water |
| Eyes | Flush eyes with plenty of clean water. Seek medical help. |
| More info | [ Hazardous Chemical Database] |
| SI units were used where possible. Unless otherwise stated, standard conditions were used. | |
Ammonium chloride or Sal Ammoniac (chemically ammonium chloride (NH4Cl); also zalmiak, sal armagnac) is, in its pure form, a clear white crystalline salt. Historically it was considered one of the four alchemical "spirits". In modern times it found use as an electrolyte for batteries, and as cough medicine. Its expectorant action is caused by irritative action on the bronchial mucosa. This causes excess respiratory tract fluid which presumably is easier to cough up. (There is little evidence that expectorants actually work). The main commercial use for ammonium chloride is as a fertilizer for use when growing rice. Other uses include a feed supplement for cattle, in hair shampoo, in the the glue that bonds plywood, and as an ingredient in nutritive media for yeast.
Sal Ammoniac was named after it was observed in the Temple of Zeus-Ammon in Egypt; its name means "salt of Ammon". It was the white crystaline substance that remained on the ceiling and walls after camel dung was burned. The modern name "ammonium" comes from Sal Ammoniac.
An industrial byproduct, in several countries sal ammoniac is used to spice up liquorice-type dark candies, and as a flavoring for vodkas. It is sold in blocks at hardware stores for use in cleaning the tip of a soldering iron and can also be included in solder as flux.