NH3

NH3, commonly known as ammonia, is a simple inorganic compound with the formula NH3. It is a colorless gas with a sharp, pungent odor and is highly soluble in water, forming ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) in solution. At room temperature it is readily liquefied under modest pressure and is widely handled as a gas or liquid in industry.

Structure and properties: Ammonia has a trigonal pyramidal molecular geometry with three N–H bonds and one lone pair on nitrogen. The N–H bonds are polar, giving NH3 an overall dipole moment. The compound has a boiling point of −33.34 °C and a melting point of −77.73 °C, making it a gas at room temperature. It is highly soluble in water and forms a basic aqueous solution.

Production and uses: Most ammonia is produced by the Haber-Bosch process, which combines nitrogen from the air with hydrogen (typically derived from natural gas or water) under high pressure and temperature in the presence of an iron-based catalyst. Ammonia is a key feedstock for fertilizers, including ammonium salts such as ammonium nitrate and urea. It is also used in the manufacture of various nitrile and other nitrogen-containing compounds, as a refrigerant in some industrial systems, and as a cleaning agent in diluted forms.

Safety and handling: Ammonia is caustic and irritating to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. At high concentrations, it can be hazardous or fatal. It reacts with acids to form ammonium salts and can form ammonium hydroxide in water. It is stored as a compressed gas or dense liquid in appropriate containment, with proper ventilation and handling procedures to minimize exposure.