Content Curator
Ammonium persulfate is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula (NH4)2S2O8.
- It is also known as Ammonium peroxydisulfate, Diammonium persulfate, or Diammonium peroxydisulfate.
- Ammonium persulfate is a strong oxidizing agent and is highly soluble in water.
- It is an odorless, white crystalline solid.
- It is used as a catalyst in polymer chemistry, as a cleaning and bleaching agent, and as an etchant.
| Table of Content |
Key Terms: Inorganic compound, Ammonium persulfate, Ammonia, Polymers, Oxidizing agent, Bleaching agent, Potassium, Chemical formula
What is Ammonium Persulfate?
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Ammonium persulfate, a white crystalline solid is an ionic compound containing ammonia and persulfate ions.
- The chemical formula of ammonium persulfate is (NH4)2S2O8.
- It does not burn easily but can cause organic materials such as wood or fibers to spontaneously ignite.
- Ammonium persulfate is mainly used as a bleaching agent and a food preservative.
- It also finds applications in the production of certain dyes, explosives, and other industrially important chemicals.
Ammonium Persulfate
Also check:
| Related Concepts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Conductometric Titration | Dichromate | Ammonium Acetate |
| Californium | Chromate | Gadolinium |
Ammonium Persulfate Structure
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
The structure of ammonium persulfate (NH4)2S2O8 is shown below.
Structure of Ammonium Persulfate
Physical Properties of Ammonium Persulfate
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
The following are the physical properties of ammonium persulfate
| Ammonium Persulfate | |
|---|---|
| Chemical Formula/Molecular Formula | (NH4)2S2O8 |
| Appearance | White crystalline solid |
| Density of Ammonium persulfate | 1.98 g/cm3 |
| Melting Point of Ammonium persulfate | 120°C |
| Molecular weight of Ammonium persulfate | 228.18 g/mol |
| Flash point of Ammonium persulfate | Non-flammable |
| Ammonium persulfate CAS number | 7727-54-0 |
Preparation of Ammonium Persulfate
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Electrolysis of ammonium sulfate (NH4)2SO4 and sulfuric acid H2SO4 followed by crystallization of the electrolytic solution can produce ammonium persulfate.
- At the anode, sulfuric acid is electrolyzed into hydrogen (H⁺) ions and hydrogen sulfate (HSO4⁻) ions.
- Two hydrogen sulfate ions then react with the ammonium sulfate to form ammonium persulfate [(NH4)2S2O8] and more sulfuric acid.
- Finally, the ammonium persulfate is separated from the solution as crystals.
Reaction at anode: 2H2SO4 → H2S2O8 + 2H+ + 2e-
Reaction at cathode: 2H+ + 2e- → H2
Overall reaction: 2(NH4)2SO4 + H2SO4 → (NH4)2S2O8 + 2H2SO4 + H2
Uses of Ammonium Persulfate
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
The following are the uses of ammonium persulfate
- In food products, it is used as a preservative.
- It is a common ingredient in hair bleach.
- Used in PCBs (printed circuit boards).
- Used as a general oxidizer.
- Used as a catalyst in a variety of polymerization reactions.
- Used in olefin polymerization as an initiator.
- Used in photography.
- Used to wash infected yeast.
- Used in batteries as a depolarizer.
Health Hazards of Ammonium Persulfate
[Click Here for Sample Questions]
Various health hazards associated with ammonium persulfate are given below.
- Inhaling the compound-containing dust can irritate the lungs and, in severe situations, cause asthma.
- Contact with this substance might irritate the eyes and trigger skin allergies.
- High levels of exposure to the substance can cause fluid build-up in the lungs, known as pulmonary edema.
- Persulfate salts have been identified as a key cause of various asthmatic symptoms in women.
Also check:
| Related Concepts | ||
|---|---|---|
| D and F Block Important Questions | d and f block elements MCQ | Dysprosium |
| Raney Nickel | Metals and Non-Metals Formula and Equations | Copolymer |
Things to Remember
- The chemical formula of ammonium persulfate is (NH4)2S2O8.
- It is an odorless, white crystalline solid and is highly soluble in water.
- It is a strong oxidizing agent, used as a cleaning and bleaching agent.
- Ammonium persulfate is produced by electrolysis of ammonium sulfate and sulfuric acid.
- It is non-flammable but can release oxygen, therefore it serves as a combustion-supporting agent.
Sample Questions
Ques. What is the chemical formula ammonium persulfate? (1 Mark)
Ans. The chemical formula of ammonium persulfate is (NH4)2S2O8.
Ques. What is the molar mass of ammonium persulfate? (1 Mark)
Ans. The molar mass of ammonium persulfate is 228.18 grams per mole.
Ques. What is the role of ammonium persulfate in the body? (1 Mark)
Ans. Ammonium persulfate does not have a role in the body. It's an industrial compound not typically found in biological systems.
Ques. Is ammonium persulfate acidic or basic? (1 Mark)
Ans. Ammonium persulfate is a salt. Depending on the acid and base used in the process, the salts generated might be acidic or basic.
Ques. Is ammonium persulfate reducing agent? (1 Mark)
Ans. No, ammonium persulfate is not a reducing agent. It's actually a strong oxidizing agent.
Ques. What makes ammonium sulfate and ammonium persulfate different? (2 Marks)
Ans. In the oxidative polymerization of aniline, ammonium persulfate is employed, and ammonium sulfate is produced as a by-product. Ammonium sulfate and ammonium persulfate are used together.
Ques. Is ammonium persulfate a poisonous substance? (2 Marks)
Ans. Ammonium persulfates have minor toxicity when inhaled. Dust irritates the eyes and creates rashes on the skin. A build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), a medical emergency, may result at higher doses.
Ques. What is the process for creating a diluted solution of ammonium persulfate? (2 Marks)
Ans. To make a 10% (w/v) solution, follow these steps: 1 g ammonium persulfate, dissolved in 10 mL H2O and stored at 4°C Because ammonium persulfate degrades slowly in solution, the stock solution should be replaced every 2-3 weeks.
Ques. What are the chemical properties of ammonium persulfate? (5 Marks)
Ans. The following are the chemical properties of ammonium persulfate
- In an aqueous media, it decomposes to create ammonium ions and peroxydisulfate oxyanions.
- This decomposes further into sulfate ions. As a result, sulfuric acid vapors can be produced during the degradation of the chemical.
- In aqueous media, oxidation of alkynes with ammonium persulfate and diphenyl diselenide as catalyst produces 1,2 dicarbonyl derivatives or hemiacetals (starting from terminal alkynes).
- It's a powerful and long-lasting oxidizer.
Ques. What is ammonium persulfate used for? (2 Marks)
Ans. Ammonium persulfate finds applications in various areas, including acting as a bleaching agent, initiator in olefin polymerization, and ingredient in photography, hair bleach, and batteries. It's also used to wash infected yeast, as a food preservative, and in the production of printed circuit boards.
For Latest Updates on Upcoming Board Exams, Click Here: https://t.me/class_10_12_board_updates
Also Read:
Comments