Ammonium Chloride is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula NH4Cl. It is also known as sal ammoniac, the salt of ammonia and hydrogen chloride.

Ammonium chloride is a by-product of sodium carbonate. Ammonium chloride has diuretic and expectorant effects. In its pure form, it is crystalline salt, white. This compound is highly water-soluble and mildly acidic. Ammonium chloride is used in veterinary medicine for the prevention of urinary stones in sheep, goats, and cattle. When ammonium sulfate and NaCl solutions react, NH4Cl is produced. When a 5% solution of ammonium chloride (by weight) is mixed with water, the resulting solution has a pH value ranging from 4.6 to 6.0.

Properties of Ammonium Chloride

Chemical Formula : NH4Cl

Molecular Weight/ Molar Mass : 53.491 g/mol

Density : 1.53 g/cm³

Boiling Point : 520 °C

Melting Point : 338 °C

Uses of Ammonium Chloride

It is used in fertilizers as a nitrogen source.

It is used in medicine (especially in cough medicine) as an expectorant.

It is used in glue which helps to bond plywood.

It is used in Leclanche cells in aqueous solutions.

It is used in food additives – in bread making as a yeast nutrient.

It is used as an acidifier.

It is used in cooling baths to create low temperatures.

They are used as buffer solutions along with ammonia.

It is given to cattle as feed supplements.