View source for Ammonium carbonate

{{Chembox
| Name = Ammonium carbonate
| Reference =
| IUPACName = Ammonium carbonate
| PIN =
| SystematicName =
| OtherNames = Ammonia sesquicarbonate<br>Baker's ammonia<br>Diammonium carbonate<br>E503<br>Sal volatile<br>Salt of hartshorn    
<!-- Images -->
| ImageFile = Ammonium_carbonate.jpg
| ImageSize = 270px
| ImageAlt = 
| ImageName = 
| ImageFile1 = 
| ImageSize1 = 
| ImageAlt1 = 
| ImageName1 = 
| ImageFile2 = 
| ImageSize2 = 
| ImageAlt2 = 
| ImageName2 = 
| ImageFile3 = 
| ImageSize3 = 
| ImageAlt3 = 
| ImageName3 = 
| ImageFileL1 = 
| ImageSizeL1 = 
| ImageAltL1 = 
| ImageNameL1 = 
| ImageFileR1 = 
| ImageSizeR1 = 
| ImageAltR1 = 
| ImageNameR1 = 
| ImageFileL2 = 
| ImageSizeL2 = 
| ImageAltL2 = 
| ImageNameL2 = 
| ImageFileR2 = 
| ImageSizeR2 = 
| ImageAltR2 = 
| ImageNameR2 = 
<!-- Sections -->
| Section1 = {{Chembox Identifiers
| 3DMet = 
| Abbreviations = 
| SMILES = O=C(O)O.N.N
  }}
| Section2 = {{Chembox Properties
| AtmosphericOHRateConstant = 
| Appearance = White solid
| BoilingPt = 
| BoilingPtC = 
| BoilingPt_ref = 
| BoilingPt_notes = Decomposes
| Density = 1.50 g/cm<sup>3</sup>
| Formula = (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>
| HenryConstant = 
| LogP = 
| MolarMass = 96.09 g/mol
| MeltingPt = 
| MeltingPtC = 58
| MeltingPt_ref = 
| MeltingPt_notes = (decomposes)
| Odor = Strong ammonia
| pKa = 
| pKb = 
| Solubility = 55.8 g/ml (0 °C)<br> 100 g/ml (20 °C)<br>Decomposes (58 °C)
| SolubleOther = Insoluble in [[benzene]], [[hexane]]
| Solvent = 
| Taste = Sharp ammoniacal taste
| VaporPressure = 
  }}
| Section3 = {{Chembox Structure
| Coordination = 
| CrystalStruct = 
| MolShape = 
  }}
| Section4 = {{Chembox Thermochemistry
| DeltaGf = 
| DeltaHc = 
| DeltaHf = 
| Entropy = 
| HeatCapacity = 
  }}
| Section5 = {{Chembox Explosive
| ShockSens = Non-explosive
| FrictionSens = 
| DetonationV = 
| REFactor = 
  }}
| Section6 = {{Chembox Hazards
| AutoignitionPt = Non-flammable
| ExploLimits = 
| ExternalMSDS = [http://www.sciencecompany.com/msds/Ammonium_Carbonate_MSDS.pdf ScienceCompany]
| FlashPt = Non-flammable
| LD50 = 
| LC50 = 
| MainHazards = Irritant
| NFPA-F = 
| NFPA-H = 
| NFPA-R = 
| NFPA-S = 
  }}
| Section7 = {{Chembox Related
| OtherAnions = 
| OtherCations = 
| OtherFunction = 
| OtherFunction_label = 
| OtherCompounds = [[Ammonium bicarbonate]]
  }}
}}
'''Ammonium carbonate''' is a compound with the chemical formula '''(NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>'''.

==Properties==
===Chemical===
Ammonium carbonate decomposes when heated above 58 °C to ammonia, carbon dioxide and water vapor:

:(NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> → 2 NH<sub>3</sub> + H<sub>2</sub>O + CO<sub>3</sub>

Reaction with acids gives ammonium salt of said acid and releases carbon dioxide:

:(NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> + 2 HNO<sub>3</sub> → 2 NH<sub>4</sub>NO<sub>3</sub> + H<sub>2</sub>O + CO<sub>2</sub>

===Physical===
Ammonium carbonate is a white solid, with a strong odor of ammonia, soluble in water. It decomposes in hot water (>58 °C) releasing ammonia and carbon dioxide. It has a density of 1.50 g/cm<sup>3</sup>.

==Availability==
Ammonium carbonate is available as baker's ammonia in some food stores, though most will sell only [[ammonium bicarbonate]].

It can also be purchased online. [http://www.sciencecompany.com/Ammonium-Carbonate-Bakers-Ammonia-Food-Grade-8-oz-P16462.aspx ScienceCompany] will sell a 8 oz. (227 g) bottle at 9.95 $.

==Preparation==
Ammonium carbonate can be prepared by bubbling [[ammonia]] through an aqueous solution of [[ammonium bicarbonate]].

: NH<sub>4</sub>HCO<sub>3</sub> + NH<sub>3</sub> → (NH<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub>

==Projects==
*Make ammonium salts
*Make ammonium carbamate
*Make ammonium bicarbonate

==Handling==
===Safety===
Ammonium carbonate gives off ammonia fumes, which are irritating and toxic if they build up in a closed environment. During hot summers, the decomposition is rapid.

===Storage===
Ammonium carbonate is best stored in closed containers and kept in cold places. To limit the ammonia gas released, you can store the carbonate in a resealable bag, which in turn can be placed in a container. Do not seal it completely, as ammonia pressure will slowly build up inside the bottle, and you will need to release it periodically.

===Disposal===
Ammonium bicarbonate can be neutralized with an acid and poured down the drain, or just poured down the drain, as it poses no danger to the environment.

Can also be simply poured in the ground, as it's a good (albeit less effective) nitrogen source for plants.

==References==
<references/>
===Relevant Sciencemadness threads===
*[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=20162 Making ammonium carbonate]

[[Category:Chemical compounds]]
[[Category:Inorganic compounds]]
[[Category:Ammonium compounds]]
[[Category:Carbonates]]
[[Category:Materials unstable in basic solution]]
[[Category:Materials unstable in acidic solution]]
[[Category:Unstable materials]]
[[Category:Readily available chemicals]]
[[Category:Materials available as food grade]]