Physical Properties
- Appearance: White crystalline solid, odorless.
- Density: 1.72 g/cm³ at 25°C.
- Melting Point: 169.6°C.
- Solubility: Highly soluble in water, ethanol, acetone, liquid ammonia, and ammonia water; insoluble in ether.
- Hygroscopicity: Slightly hygroscopic and prone to caking.
Chemical Properties
- Stability: Stable under normal conditions but decomposes at high temperatures to release nitrogen oxides.
- Reactivity:
- Strong oxidizing agent.
- Reacts violently with reducing agents and organic materials.
- Decomposes to release nitrogen oxides and water vapor.
- Acid-Base Properties: Forms acidic solutions in water.
Uses
- Agriculture: Widely used as a fertilizer due to its high nitrogen content.
- Explosives: A key component in the manufacture of ammonium nitrate-fuel oil (ANFO) explosives.
- Industrial Applications: Used in the production of nitric acid and other chemicals.
- Other Uses: Used in cold packs and as a reagent in chemical analysis.
Safety Information
- Health Hazards: Causes irritation to the respiratory system, eyes, and skin.
- Fire and Explosion Risk: Strong oxidizer; can cause fires and explosions when mixed with combustible materials.
- Storage: Store in a cool, dry place, away from reducing agents and organic materials.
- First Aid:
- Skin Contact: Rinse with plenty of water.
- Eye Contact: Rinse with water for at least 15 minutes.
- Inhalation: Move to fresh air and seek medical attention.
- Ingestion: Drink water and seek medical attention.
Environmental Information
- Ecotoxicity: Harmful to aquatic life.
- Hazardous Decomposition Products: Nitrogen oxides.