What is Ammonium Oxalate Definition Formula Preparation Reactions and Uses
In Chemistry, salt is known as a substance made by the reaction between acid and base. Ammonium oxalate is an oxalate salt with ammonium (sometimes as a monohydrate). It is a colourless (white) salt under standard conditions and is odourless and non-volatile. It is the ammonium salt of oxalic acid and occurs in many plants and vegetables. Ammonium oxalate is used as an analytical reagent and general reducing agent. It and other oxalates are used as anticoagulants to preserve blood outside the body. Acid ammonium oxalate (ammonium oxalate acidified to pH 3 with oxalic acid) is commonly employed in soil chemical analysis to extract iron and aluminium from poorly-crystalline minerals (such as ferrihydrite), iron (II)-bearing minerals (such as magnetite), and organic matter.
Ammonium Oxalate
A 2:1 ratio of ammonium and oxalate ions is used to produce the ammonium salt known as ammonium oxalate. It is both an oxalate and an ammonium salt. Other names for it include Ethanedioic acid, diammonium salt, Oxalic acid, and diammonium salt. It can be found in a wide variety of plants and vegetables as well.
Ascorbic acid or glyoxylic acid metabolism in the human body also produces it. It is eliminated in the urine rather than being digested. It serves as a general reducing agent and analytical reagent. Ammonium oxalate is an odourless and colourless crystalline powder.
The compound ammonium oxalate can be found in many distinct kidney stone types. It can also be found in seals, seabirds, and/or bat droppings. Since the higher concentration of ammonium oxalate and urate can be utilised as fungicides and fertilisers for plants, the mixture is rich in nitrogen.
Ammonium Oxalate Formula
The chemical formula for ammonium oxalate is NH4OOCCOONH4. The molecular formula for Ammonium oxalate is C2H8N2O4. Ammonium oxalate as the name suggests contains 2 molecules of ammonia and one molecule of oxalate.
Ammonium Oxalate Solution
To make ammonium oxalate solution, first oxalic acid is dissolved in the desired amount of water and then mixed with the required amount of ammonium. Ammonium oxalate is a solid substance that slowly dissolves and combines in water. Oxalic acid is converted into oxalate ion (C2O4)22- by the dissociation of two acidic hydrogens, which results in the formation of an anion. The molecules include two ammonium ions (NH4)+ in the form of cations, with one ammonium replacing each hydrogen lost.
Ammonium Oxalate Test
Oxalic acid can be determined by using a method such as permanganate titration and atomic absorption. As ammonium oxalate helps in preventing or inhibiting the coagulation of blood plasma; hence, it is used in blood tests to prevent blood coagulation. The lead or calcium ions present in blood as well as other analytes can be measured by complexing this chemical with specific metals.
Structure of Ammonium Oxalate
Ammonium Oxalate Uses
Ammonium oxalate can be used in the following ways:
Ammonium oxalate is produced by the metabolism of either glycolic acid or ascorbic acid.
It can be used in mineral form as oxammite.
It can be utilised as an analytical reagent in various tests.
This salt form can also be used as a reducing agent.
It can be used as an anticoagulant for preserving blood in the test tube.
In textile, it is used for dyeing.
There are some side effects of ammonium oxalate as given below:
Ammonium oxalate dust when ingested or inhaled excessively causes systemic poisoning in the body.
Ammonium oxalate when comes in contact with the eyes can irritate. Similarly, contact with skin can irritate severe burns.
Molecular Weight of Ammonium Oxalate
The chemical formula of ammonium oxalate is C2H8N2O4.
So, (12×2) + (1×8) + (14×2) + (16×4) =124.1
Thus, the molecular weight of ammonium oxalate is 124.1 g/mol.
Ammonium Oxalate Monohydrate [(NH4)2C2O4]
The molecular weight of ammonium oxalate monohydrate is 142.11 g/mol. Same as ammonium oxalate, it is also used for the detection of lead and calcium. Ammonium oxalate monohydrate is most famously used as a buffering agent. The monohydrate is the main commercial form of ammonium oxalate.
Interesting Facts
Ammonium oxalate is an odourless solid. Sinks and mixes slowly with water.
Ammonium oxalate is a salt that is made up of ammonium and oxalic acid in the ratio of 2:1. It is colourless, odourless, and soluble in water.
Key Features of Ammonium Oxalate
Ammonium oxalate is used to make explosives and metal polishes and in textile dyeing and analytical chemistry.
It is used as a buffering agent, anticoagulatory for blood and determination of lead calcium, etc.
Calcium chloride solution forms a precipitate of calcium oxalate with ammonium oxalate.
Ammonium oxalate is usually acidic in nature. The acidity depends on the amount of oxalic acid present.
FAQs on Ammonium Oxalate Structure Properties and Applications
1. What is ammonium oxalate?
Ammonium oxalate is an inorganic salt composed of ammonium ions (NH4+) and the oxalate ion (C2O42-). Its chemical formula is (NH4)2C2O4. It is typically a white crystalline solid that is soluble in water and commonly used in analytical chemistry and laboratory applications.
2. What is the chemical formula of ammonium oxalate?
The chemical formula of ammonium oxalate is (NH4)2C2O4. It contains two ammonium ions (NH4+) to balance the 2− charge of one oxalate ion (C2O42-). The compound is electrically neutral because the total positive charge (+2) equals the total negative charge (−2).
3. How is ammonium oxalate prepared?
Ammonium oxalate is prepared by neutralizing oxalic acid (H2C2O4) with ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH). The balanced chemical equation is:
H2C2O4(aq) + 2NH4OH(aq) → (NH4)2C2O4(aq) + 2H2O(l)
This is an acid–base neutralization reaction where oxalic acid reacts with ammonium hydroxide to form ammonium oxalate and water.
4. Is ammonium oxalate soluble in water?
Yes, ammonium oxalate is highly soluble in water because it is an ammonium salt. On dissolving, it dissociates as:
(NH4)2C2O4(s) → 2NH4+(aq) + C2O42-(aq)
Most ammonium salts are water-soluble, which makes ammonium oxalate useful in aqueous laboratory reactions.
5. What are the uses of ammonium oxalate in chemistry?
Ammonium oxalate is mainly used as a precipitating agent and in analytical chemistry. Key uses include:
- Precipitation of calcium ions as calcium oxalate: Ca2+(aq) + C2O42-(aq) → CaC2O4(s)
- Standard laboratory reagent for qualitative analysis
- Photography and metal treatment applications
6. What happens when ammonium oxalate reacts with calcium chloride?
When ammonium oxalate reacts with calcium chloride, a white precipitate of calcium oxalate (CaC2O4) forms. The balanced equation is:
(NH4)2C2O4(aq) + CaCl2(aq) → CaC2O4(s) + 2NH4Cl(aq)
This is a double displacement reaction and is commonly used to test for the presence of calcium ions.
7. What type of compound is ammonium oxalate?
Ammonium oxalate is an ionic compound formed from a polyatomic cation and a polyatomic anion. It consists of:
- NH4+ (ammonium ion)
- C2O42- (oxalate ion)
8. What is the molar mass of ammonium oxalate?
The molar mass of ammonium oxalate ((NH4)2C2O4) is approximately 124.10 g/mol. Calculation:
- 2 × N (14.01) = 28.02
- 8 × H (1.008) = 8.06
- 2 × C (12.01) = 24.02
- 4 × O (16.00) = 64.00
9. Is ammonium oxalate acidic, basic, or neutral?
Ammonium oxalate forms a slightly acidic solution in water because the NH4+ ion acts as a weak acid. In solution:
- NH4+ can donate a proton (acidic behavior)
- C2O42- is the conjugate base of a weak acid (oxalic acid)
10. What happens when ammonium oxalate is heated?
When ammonium oxalate is heated, it decomposes to form gases such as ammonia (NH3), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO2). The decomposition is complex and occurs in stages, but it involves breakdown of the oxalate ion and release of gaseous products. This thermal decomposition is an example of a salt breaking down upon heating.
