lammoniac

Lammoniac, commonly known as ammonia, is a colorless gas with a sharp, suffocating odor. Its chemical formula is NH3. At room temperature it is a gas; it is lighter than air and highly soluble in water, where it forms ammonium hydroxide (NH4+ and OH−). The molecule has a trigonal pyramidal shape and a characteristic pungent smell.

Industrial production and occurrence: Most ammonia is produced industrially by the Haber-Bosch process, in which nitrogen from the air is combined with hydrogen (typically derived from natural gas or other hydrocarbons) over an iron catalyst at high temperatures and pressures. The reaction is exothermic and energy-intensive. Ammonia is also released naturally from decomposition of organic matter and by certain biological processes. It is a key precursor to agricultural fertilizers such as urea, ammonium sulfate, and ammonium nitrate, and is also used in the production of polymers and other chemicals. In some refrigeration systems, ammonia is used as a refrigerant (R-717) because of its high efficiency and environmental advantages.

Applications: In agriculture, most of the world’s ammonia production is converted into reactive nitrogen compounds for fertilizers. In industry, it serves as a building block for ammonium salts, nitric acid, and various nitriles. Household and laboratory cleaning products may contain aqueous ammonia.

Safety and environment: Ammonia is corrosive to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes at sufficient concentrations and can irritate the respiratory tract. It is toxic in high concentrations and can be fatal if inhaled in poorly ventilated areas. Ammonia reacts with strong oxidizers and can form toxic chloramines with chlorine. Environmentally, ammonia inputs can contribute to nutrient pollution and eutrophication; atmospheric ammonia is a component of air quality issues in agricultural regions.