Ammonium acetate
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Ammonium acetate | |
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IUPAC name | Ammonium acetate |
Identifiers | |
CAS number | [631-61-8] |
Properties | |
Molecular formula | CH3COONH4 |
Molar mass | 77.0825 g/mol |
Appearance | White solid or colorless transparent crystals |
Density | 1.07 g/cm³, solid |
Melting point |
112 °C (385 K) |
Boiling point |
Decomposes |
Solubility in water | 148 g/100 ml (4 °C) |
Structure | |
Crystal structure | orthorhombic |
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references |
Ammonium acetate is a chemical compound with the formula CH3COONH4. It is a white solid, which can be derived from the reaction of ammonia and acetic acid. It is available commercially, and depending on grade, can be rather inexpensive.
[edit] Uses and distinctive properties
As the salt of a weak acid and a weak base, ammonium acetate has a number of distinctive properties.
- CH3COONH4 is occasionally employed as a biodegradable de-icing agent.
- It is often used with acetic acid to create a buffer solution, one that can be thermally decomposed to non-ionic products
- Ammonium acetate is useful in the Knoevenagel condensation in organic synthesis.
- It is relatively unusual example of a salt that melts at low temperatures.
- Can be used with distilled water to make a protein precipitating reagent.
- Is often used as an aqueous buffer for ESI mass spectrometry of proteins and other molecules.
[edit] Properties
CH3COONH4 is hygroscopic. It decomposes easily at elevated temperatures into acetamide.
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- CH3COONH4 → CH3C(O)NH2 + H2O
In this reaction, a salt is converted to two molecular species, which is a relatively uncommon conversion at mild temperatures.
[edit] References
The references in this article would be clearer with a different or consistent style of citation, footnoting, or external linking. |
- G. Jones, Organic Reactions, 1967, volume 15, 204ff (the Knoevenagel Reaction)