Ammonium bicarbonate

Food grade (NH₄)HCO₃

Ammonium bicarbonate or ammonium hydrogen carbonate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula (NH₄)HCO₃. In older literature it may be referred to as hartshorn, as is ammonium carbonate.

Properties

Chemical

Ammonium carbonate will slowly decompose to give off ammonia, carbon dioxide and water vapors. The reaction occurs faster at higher temperatures:

(NH₄)HCO₃ → NH₃ + H₂O + CO₂

Ammonium carbamate is another potential by-product of decomposition.

When treated with acids, it releases carbon dioxide:

(NH₄)HCO₃ + HCl → NH₄Cl + H₂O + CO₂

It also reacts with alkali metal halides, giving ammonium halide and alkali metal bicarbonate:

NH₄HCO₃ + LiCl → NH₄Cl + LiHCO₃

NH₄HCO₃ + NaBr → NH₄Br + NaHCO₃

NH₄HCO₃ + KI → NH₄I + KHCO₃

Physical

Ammonium bicarbonate is a white salt, soluble in water, but insoluble in methanol. It will slowly decompose over time, to give off ammonia gas, giving the salt a strong smell. The decomposition occurs faster at high temperatures.

Availability

Ammonium bicarbonate can be bought from food stores as "smelly" baking powder, either pure or mixed with other carbonates, such as sodium bicarbonate or magnesium carbonate. Sometimes it's referred to as simply "ammonium", usually the label name.

Preparation

Ammonium bicarbonate can be made by bubbling carbon dioxide gas through a cold solution of ammonia, at acidic pH.

CO₂ + NH₃ + H₂O → (NH₄)HCO₃

Alternatively, it can be made by heating a mixture of ammonium nitrate, sodium bicarbonate or carbonate, and water in one container, and channeling the generated gases into a chilled empty container, where it will crystallize on the walls.

Projects

• Ammonium carbonate synthesis
• Generate ammonia gas
• Synthesize any other ammonium salt. Both forms of hartshorn are very convenient precursors to all salts of ammonium.

Handling

Safety

Ammonium bicarbonate gives off ammonia fumes, which are irritating and toxic if they build up in a closed environment.

Storage

Ammonium bicarbonate is best stored in closed containers and kept in cold places. To limit the ammonia gas released, you can store the ammonium bicarbonate in a resealable bag, which in turn can be placed in a container.

Disposal

Ammonium bicarbonate can be neutralized and safely discarded, as it poses no danger to the environment.