Ammonia [Chemical formula, Physical, Chemical Properties and Reactions]

By: Prof. Dr. Fazal Rehman Shamil | Last updated: February 3, 2024

Chemical formula of ammonia is NH3.

Physical Properties of Ammonia:

Properties Details
AppearanceColorless gas with a pungent odor
Boiling point-33.34°C
Chemical formulaNH₃
Density0.73 g/cm³
FlammabilityNon-flammable, but supports combustion
Heat of vaporization23.35 kJ/mol
Melting point-77.73°C
Molecular weight17.03 g/mol
Refractive index1.334
SolubilityHighly soluble in water
Vapor pressure8.68 atm at 20°C

Chemical Properties of Ammonia:

Properties Details
Acid-base reactionsReacts with acids to form salts, participates in acid-base reactions
BasicityActs as a weak base, accepts protons to form ammonium ions
Catalytic activityActs as a catalyst in various reactions
CombustibilitySupports combustion when mixed with an oxidizing agent
DissociationPartially dissociates in water to form ammonium and hydroxide ions
Formation of aminesUndergoes reactions to form amines
Formation of ammoniumReacts with acids or hydrogen ions to form ammonium ions
Nitriding reactionsReacts with metals to form metal nitrides
ReactivityReacts with acids to form ammonium salts
Reducing agentReduces metal oxides to form metal nitrides or ammoniates

Reaction of ammonia

With Alkali Metal

Alkali MetalReaction with Ammonia
LithiumLi + NH3 → LiNH2 + H2
Sodium2Na + 2NH3 → 2NaNH2 + H2
Potassium2K + 2NH3 → 2KNH2 + H2
Rubidium2Rb + 2NH3 → 2RbNH2 + H2
Cesium2Cs + 2NH3 → 2CsNH2 + H2

With Alkaline Earth Metal

Alkaline Earth MetalReaction with Ammonia
BerylliumBe + 2NH3 → Be(NH2)2 + H2
MagnesiumMg + 2NH3 → Mg(NH2)2 + H2
CalciumCa + 2NH3 → Ca(NH2)2 + H2
StrontiumSr + 2NH3 → Sr(NH2)2 + H2
BariumBa + 2NH3 → Ba(NH2)2 + H2

With Transition Metal

Transition MetalReaction with Ammonia
ScandiumSc + 2NH3 → Sc(NH2)2 + H2
TitaniumTi + 2NH3 → Ti(NH2)2 + H2
VanadiumV + 3NH3 → VN3H9
ChromiumCr + 6NH3 → Cr(NH3)6
ManganeseMn + 4NH3 → Mn(NH3)4
IronFe + 4NH3 → Fe(NH3)4
CobaltCo + 6NH3 → Co(NH3)6
NickelNi + 4NH3 → Ni(NH3)4
CopperCu + 4NH3 → [Cu(NH3)4]2+ + 2e-
ZincZn + 2NH3 → Zn(NH2)2 + H2

 With Post-Transition Metal

Post-Transition MetalReaction with Ammonia
Aluminum2Al + 6NH3 → 2Al(NH2)3 + 3H2
GalliumGa + 2NH3 → Ga(NH2)2 + H2
IndiumIn + 4NH3 → In(NH2)4 + 2H2
TinSn + 4NH3 → Sn(NH2)4 + 2H2
LeadPb + 4NH3 → Pb(NH2)4 + 2H2
AntimonySb + 3NH3 → Sb(NH2)3 + 3H2
BismuthBi + 3NH3 → Bi(NH2)3 + 3H2

With Metalloid

 

MetalloidReaction with Ammonia
BoronB + 3NH3 → BN + 3H2
SiliconSi + 4NH3 → Si(NH2)4 + 2H2
GermaniumGe + 4NH3 → Ge(NH2)4 + 2H2

 

 With Noble Gas

Noble GasReaction with Ammonia
HeliumNo reaction
NeonNo reaction
ArgonNo reaction
KryptonNo reaction
XenonXe + 2NH3 → Xe(NH3)2
RadonRn + 2NH3 → Rn(NH3)2

 With Nonmetal

NonmetalReaction with Ammonia
Hydrogen3H2 + N2 → 2NH3
Oxygen4NH3 + 5O2 → 4NO + 6H2O
SulfurS + 2NH3 → H2S + NS
ChlorineN2 + 3Cl2 + 6NH3 → 6NH4Cl
BromineN2 + 3Br2 + 6NH3 → 6NH4Br

 

 With Lanthanide

LanthanideReaction with Ammonia
Cerium2Ce + 3NH3 → 2Ce(NH2)3 + H2
Praseodymium2Pr + 3NH3 → 2Pr(NH2)3 + H2
Neodymium2Nd + 3NH3 → 2Nd(NH2)3 + H2
Samarium2Sm + 3NH3 → 2Sm(NH2)3 + H2
EuropiumEu + 2NH3 → Eu(NH2)2 + H2
Gadolinium2Gd + 3NH3 → 2Gd(NH2)3 + H2

 With Actinide

ActinideReaction with Ammonia
Uranium2U + 3NH3 → 2U(NH2)3 + H2
Plutonium2Pu + 3NH3 → 2Pu(NH2)3 + H2
Americium2Am + 3NH3 → 2Am(NH2)3 + H2
Curium2Cm + 3NH3 → 2Cm(NH2)3 + H2
BerkeliumBk + 2NH3 → Bk(NH2)2 + H2
CaliforniumCf + 2NH3 → Cf(NH2)2 + H2