Ammonium Phosphate: Formula, Structure, Properties and Uses

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Namrata Das

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Ammonium phosphate is a crystalline powder that is soluble in water and has the chemical formula (NH4)3PO4. The salt of ammonia and phosphoric acid is ammonium phosphate. Dibasic ammonium phosphate is a molecule with two interchangeable hydrogen atoms in the acid-base reaction of ammonium and phosphate, whereas monobasic ammonium phosphate only has one hydrogen atom to contribute to the base. Here, we will discuss Ammonium phosphate in depth along with some important questions. 

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What is Ammonium Phosphate?

Ammonium phosphate is a highly unstable compound that comprises ammonium and phosphate salt. Ammonium phosphate is industrially produced by treating 30% ammonium solution and 85% phosphoric acid in a melted condition. The ammonium phosphate sulfate changes to the molten state after a certain amount of heat is produced. It is available in a colorless, crystalline solid form with the odor of ammonia, which is readily soluble in water.

Ammonium Phosphate

Ammonium Phosphate


Ammonium Phosphate Formula

The chemical formula of Ammonium Phosphate is (NH4)3PO4. Ammonium Phosphate is also called triammonium phosphate, diazanium hydrogen phosphate

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Ammonium Phosphate - Structure

Ammonium Phosphate (NH4)3PO4

Ammonium Phosphate Structure

Ammonium Phosphate Structure


Ammonium Phosphate (NH4)3PO4 – General Properties

Ammonium Phosphate (NH4)3PO4
Molecular weight/Molar mass 149.09 g/mol
Density 1.619 g/cubic cm
Boiling point 130°C
Melting point 155 °C (311 °F)
Chemical formula H9N2O4P

Check Important Notes for Balanced Chemical Reaction


Ammonium Phosphate (NH4)3PO4 - Physical Properties

Odor Ammonia odor
Appearance White tetrahedral crystals
Complexity 46.5
Covalently Bonded Unit 3
Hydrogen Bond Donor 3
Solubility Ready soluble in water
Solubility pH 4 to 4.5

Read Further: Class 10 Chemical Reaction


Ammonium Phosphate (NH4)3PO4 - Chemical Properties

  • Since ammonium phosphate is a mixture of ammonia and phosphoric acid, during its production, because of its unstable nature, it readily undergoes decomposition and releases toxic gases

(NH4)3PO4→ 3NH3 + H3PO4

  • Ammonium nitrate and lead phosphate are formed when Ammonium phosphate reacts with lead nitrate

4 (NH4)3PO4 + 3Pb(NO3)4→ Pb3(PO4)4 + 12NH4NO3

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Uses of Ammonium Phosphate (NH4)3PO4

  • Ammonium Phosphate is widely used as a fertilizer product containing both nitrogen and phosphate.
  • Ammonium phosphates are an important source of available P2O5 because P2O5 is higher in ammonium phosphates than in triple superphosphate.
  • As an effective fertilizer for plants, ammonium phosphates are used in both solid and liquid forms.
  • It acts as a catalyst for acid when used as intumescent paint and mastic components.
  • It is also used as one ingredient for dry chemical extinguishers, baking powder, yeast food, and in the food industry.

Uses of Ammonium Phosphate (NH4)3PO4

Uses of Ammonium Phosphate (NH4)3PO4

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Things to Remember

  • The chemical formula for ammonium phosphate is (NH4)3PO4. It is a crystalline powder that is soluble in water.
  • Ammonium phosphate is industrially produced by treating 30% ammonium solution and 85% phosphoric acid in a melted condition.
  • The chemical formula of Ammonium Phosphate is (NH4)3PO4.
  • Ammonium Phosphate is also called Timonium phosphate, Diazanium hydrogen phosphate.
  • The general properties of ammonium Phosphate (NH4)3PO4 are molecular weight is 149.09 g/mol, 1.619 g/cubic cm density,130°C boiling point,155 °C (311 °F) melting point, H9N2O4P is a chemical formula.
  • Physical Characteristics of Ammonium Phosphate are, it has a smell of ammonia, Tetrahedral crystals are white, solubility ready to dissolve in water.
  • Because ammonium phosphate is a combination of ammonia and phosphoric acid, it easily decomposes during manufacture and produces harmful fumes because of its unstable nature (NH4)H3PO4 + 3PO4 + 3NH3.
  • Ammonium phosphate combines with lead nitrate 4 (NH4)3PO4 + 3Pb (NO3)4 Pb3 (PO4)4 + 12NH4NO3 to create ammonium nitrate and lead phosphate.
  • Ammonium Phosphate is widely used as a fertilizer product containing both nitrogen and phosphate.
  • It is also used as one ingredient for dry chemical extinguishers, baking powder, yeast food, and in the food industry.

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Sample Questions

Ques: What is the common use of ammonium phosphate? (2 marks)

Ans: Elemental nitrogen is used as an ingredient in certain plant fertilizers, which is derived from ammonium phosphate. It is also used in thermoplastic formulations as a flame retardant.

Ques: What’s the difference between ammonia and ammonium? (4 marks)

Ans: The ammonia compound comprises one nitrogen alongside three hydrogen atoms is a neutral substance, with its chemical formula of NH3. It doesn’t have any electrical charge. Ammonium is positively charged. Ammonium comprises another hydrogen atom, resulting in a +1 in charge. On an atomic level, they are two distinct elements.

The pH level of ammonia and ammonium when mixed with water shows distinguish results by which we can differentiate them. Ammonia and ammonium have different temperatures and ionic strength. Un-ionized ammonia is harmful to aquatic animals, whereas ammonium is not.

Ques: Is Ammonium Phosphate Soluble in Water? (2 marks)

Ans: It’s an ammonium salt of orthophosphoric acid, making it a very unstable and reactive substance. When ammonium phosphate is mixed with water, it forms acidic phosphate, which leaves ammonia behind. Ammonium phosphate is soluble in water because of this reaction. It is the sole justification for the usage of (NH4)3PO4 as a fertilizer.

Ques: There are 3.18 moles of hydrogen atoms in a sample of ammonium phosphate (NH4)3PO4. It will be the number of moles of oxygen atoms in that sample. (3 marks)

Ans: The molar mass of (NH4)3PO4 is 149 grams, as we know.

12 g of hydrogen is included within the same.

The total amount of moles of ammonium phosphate for 3.18 moles, i.e. 3.18 grams of H, is:

12149×3.18 = 39.5gm (NH4)3PO4

We know that 149 grams of (NH4) 3PO4contains 64g of oxygen

So, 39.5 grams of (NH4)3PO4 it will contain 14964×39.5g of oxygen.

=16.96 gm oxygen

So, 16.96 grams of oxygen are present

We get 1616.96 = 1.06 moles of oxygen when we convert it to moles.

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Ques: If 6 moles of H are present in a sample of (NH4)3PO4, what is the number of moles of an oxygen atom? (3 marks)

Ans: We know that in ammonium phosphate:

The total number of H atoms: 12

Total number of O atoms: 4

We know that the ratio of atoms and moles remains the same

So, 12/4 = 6/X

Or, X = 2

As a result, there are 2 moles of oxygen in total.

Ques: What is meant by ammonium phosphate fertilizer? (2 marks)

Ans: Ammonium phosphate adds nitrogen and phosphates to the lawns and it lacks the nutrients. Ammonium phosphate is used as a fast-release fertilizer for new grass planting, cleaning, monitoring, or lawn renovation.

Ques: Is ammonium phosphate an acid? (2 marks)

Ans: Ammonium phosphate is considered as an orthophosphoric acid ammonium salt. Ammonium phosphate formula (NH4)3PO4 is a highly unstable compound. The chemical is elusive, and of little economic interest because of its uncertainty.

Ques: Why is ammonium phosphate soluble in water? (2 marks)

Ans: Ammonium phosphate is soluble in water, wherein ammonia loses and the acid phosphate (NH4)(H2PO4) is formed as the aqueous solution on the boil. Ammonium phosphate is considered to be a high source of elemental nitrogen and is used as an ingredient in certain fertilizers. This is used in thermoplastic formulations in the form of a flame retardant as well.

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