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The chemical formula for ammonium acetate is CH₃COONH₄, which can also be written as NH₄C₂H₃O₂ or C₂H₇NO₂.
Ammonium acetate is an ammonium salt formed from ammonium ions (NH₄⁺) and acetate ions (CH₃COO⁻). It is commonly encountered as a white crystalline solid and is used in laboratories, chemical synthesis, pharmaceutical production, textile processing, and other industrial applications.
This article explains the formula and molecular structure of ammonium acetate, how it is formed, its main physical and chemical properties, common applications, and important handling considerations.
Table of Contents
The formula for ammonium acetate is CH₃COONH₄.
It may also be represented in several equivalent ways:
CH₃COONH₄
NH₄C₂H₃O₂
C₂H₇NO₂
These formulas describe the same compound.
CH₃COONH₄ is often the easiest form to understand chemically because it clearly shows the two ions that make up the salt:
NH₄⁺ — ammonium ion
CH₃COO⁻ — acetate ion
Because the positive charge of NH₄⁺ and the negative charge of CH₃COO⁻ balance each other in a 1:1 ratio, ammonium acetate is electrically neutral.
For industrial and laboratory sourcing, buyers can also review YASUDA Chemical's ammonium acetate product category for available product information.
Ammonium acetate is formed when ammonia reacts with acetic acid.
The simplified reaction can be written as:
NH₃ + CH₃COOH → CH₃COONH₄
In this reaction:
NH₃ is ammonia
CH₃COOH is acetic acid
CH₃COONH₄ is ammonium acetate
Acetic acid donates a proton, while ammonia accepts it and becomes the ammonium ion, NH₄⁺. The remaining acetate ion, CH₃COO⁻, pairs with the ammonium ion to produce ammonium acetate.
The compound can therefore be understood as the ammonium salt of acetic acid.
Ammonium acetate can also be represented as:
NH₄⁺ + CH₃COO⁻
This ionic structure helps explain many of the compound's properties, including its high solubility in water and its usefulness in aqueous buffer systems.
The molecular weight, or molar mass, of ammonium acetate is approximately:
77.08 g/mol
This can be calculated from the molecular formula C₂H₇NO₂.
Element | Number of Atoms | Approximate Atomic Mass |
|---|---|---|
Carbon | 2 | 24.02 |
Hydrogen | 7 | 7.06 |
Nitrogen | 1 | 14.01 |
Oxygen | 2 | 32.00 |
Total | — | 77.09 g/mol approximately |
Small differences in the final value may occur depending on the atomic weights and rounding method used.
For most chemical calculations, 77.08 g/mol is the commonly used molecular weight for ammonium acetate.
Ammonium acetate is generally supplied as a white crystalline material or white crystalline powder.
Typical identifying information includes:
Property | Typical Information |
|---|---|
Chemical Name | Ammonium Acetate |
Formula | CH₃COONH₄ |
Molecular Formula | C₂H₇NO₂ |
CAS Number | 631-61-8 |
Molecular Weight | 77.08 g/mol |
Appearance | White crystalline powder |
Odor | Slight acetic acid odor |
Melting Point | About 114°C |
Solubility | Soluble in water and alcohol |
Ammonium acetate is hygroscopic, meaning it can absorb moisture from the surrounding air. This property is one reason why correct packaging and dry storage conditions are important.
Ammonium acetate can be produced through the neutralization of acetic acid with ammonia.
The basic reaction is:
CH₃COOH + NH₃ → CH₃COONH₄
In industrial production, the process must be carefully controlled to achieve the required purity, pH, moisture level, and impurity profile.
Depending on the intended application, further production steps may include:
Raw material preparation
Controlled neutralization
Concentration of the solution
Crystallization
Solid-liquid separation
Drying
Screening
Quality inspection
Packaging
The required processing conditions can vary according to whether the final product is intended for technical, industrial, analytical, or higher-purity applications.
Understanding the physical and chemical properties of ammonium acetate helps explain why it is used in such a wide range of applications.
Ammonium acetate dissolves readily in water.
When dissolved, it dissociates into ammonium and acetate ions:
CH₃COONH₄ → NH₄⁺ + CH₃COO⁻
This high solubility makes it useful in laboratory solutions, buffer preparation, and chemical processing.
Ammonium acetate is frequently used as part of buffer systems.
Because it contains an ammonium ion and an acetate ion, it can help control solution conditions in appropriate chemical and analytical applications.
This is one reason ammonium acetate is commonly found in laboratories and analytical chemistry.
Ammonium acetate can absorb moisture from the air.
For this reason, containers should remain tightly closed and the product should be kept in a dry environment.
Ammonium acetate has a relatively low melting point for an ionic salt, around 114°C.
When strongly heated, ammonium salts may undergo decomposition or chemical transformation rather than behaving like stable high-temperature inorganic salts.
Ammonium acetate has applications in analytical chemistry, pharmaceuticals, chemical synthesis, textile processing, and industrial manufacturing.
One of the best-known applications of ammonium acetate is in analytical laboratories.
It may be used:
in buffer solutions
as a mobile-phase component
in chromatography-related applications
in sample preparation
as an ionic source in analytical systems
Its solubility and compatibility with many aqueous systems make it useful in laboratory formulations.
Ammonium acetate can be used during the manufacture or synthesis of certain pharmaceutical products and intermediates.
The exact purity and impurity requirements depend on the production process and final application.
Where analytical or high-purity chemical requirements apply, buyers should verify the appropriate grade and specification before use.
Ammonium acetate is widely used as a source of ammonia or ammonium ions in organic reactions.
It can participate in the synthesis of nitrogen-containing compounds and is used as a reagent or reaction component in a variety of chemical processes.
Its convenient solid form makes it useful in situations where a manageable ammonia source is preferred.
In textile production, ammonium acetate may be used in dyeing and printing operations.
It can be incorporated into dye baths together with acids or other salts to help control processing conditions and promote more uniform dyeing.
Ammonium acetate may also be used in certain metal surface-treatment processes and chemical formulations.
The appropriate grade and concentration depend on the specific metal-processing system.
Other applications may include chemical intermediates, detergents, polymer-related processes, catalysts, and specialized formulations.
For buyers requiring a commercial source, YASUDA Chemical supplies ammonium acetate in Technical Grade and ACS Grade specifications for different application requirements.
Not every application requires the same ammonium acetate purity or impurity limits.
Industrial buyers should therefore evaluate the grade according to the intended use.
Technical Grade ammonium acetate is generally suitable for industrial chemical applications where extremely low impurity levels are not required.
Potential applications may include:
textile processing
industrial chemical synthesis
manufacturing processes
general chemical formulations
ACS Grade ammonium acetate is intended for applications requiring tighter control of certain impurities and analytical parameters.
It may be more appropriate for:
laboratory use
analytical chemistry
research
higher-purity chemical processes
The specification should always be checked according to the actual application rather than selecting a product solely by grade name.
Important parameters may include:
assay
pH
chloride
sulfate
iron
calcium
magnesium
insoluble matter
residue on ignition
heavy metals
For industrial purchasing, comparing these parameters is often more useful than simply asking whether ammonium acetate is "high purity."
Because ammonium acetate readily absorbs moisture, proper storage is important for maintaining product quality.
Recommended storage practices include:
Keep the product in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place.
Keep bags or containers tightly closed when not in use.
Protect the material from unnecessary humidity and moisture exposure.
Avoid contamination with incompatible materials.
Use packaging appropriate for the required storage and transportation period.
Follow the supplier's SDS and site-specific chemical handling procedures.
For bulk industrial purchases, packaging selection is also important. YASUDA Chemical lists packaging options including 25 kg bags and 500 kg bulk bags, depending on order and product requirements.
Knowing the formula of ammonium acetate is useful for more than simply identifying the compound.
The formula provides important information for chemical calculations and formulation work.
Because the molecular weight is approximately 77.08 g/mol, chemists can calculate the required mass for a target molar concentration.
For example, preparing an ammonium acetate solution requires determining:
Required mass = desired moles × 77.08 g/mol
The exact preparation procedure depends on the required concentration, final volume, purity, and analytical method.
The formula also shows that one mole of ammonium acetate provides:
one mole of ammonium ions
one mole of acetate ions
This is important when the compound is used in buffers, analytical systems, and chemical reactions.
Chemical formulas, CAS numbers, purity grades, and specification sheets all help industrial buyers ensure that the material supplied matches the intended process.
For ammonium acetate, the key identifiers include:
Chemical formula: CH₃COONH₄
Molecular formula: C₂H₇NO₂
CAS number: 631-61-8
Molecular weight: 77.08 g/mol
The chemical formula for ammonium acetate is CH₃COONH₄. It can also be written as NH₄C₂H₃O₂ or C₂H₇NO₂.
Ammonium acetate consists of the ammonium ion NH₄⁺ and the acetate ion CH₃COO⁻.
The molecular weight of ammonium acetate is approximately 77.08 g/mol.
The CAS number for ammonium acetate is 631-61-8.
Yes. Ammonium acetate is highly soluble in water, which is one reason it is useful in laboratory buffers, analytical solutions, and various chemical processes.
Ammonium acetate is a salt formed from acetic acid and ammonia. In aqueous solution, both the ammonium and acetate ions participate in acid-base equilibria, so its behavior depends on concentration and solution conditions.
No. They are different compounds.
Ammonium acetate contains acetate ions and has the formula CH₃COONH₄, while ammonium carbonate contains carbonate ions and has a different chemical composition and set of properties.
Common uses include analytical chemistry, buffer preparation, organic synthesis, pharmaceutical manufacturing, textile dyeing and printing, and selected industrial chemical processes.
Commercial ammonium acetate may be supplied in different grades depending on purity and impurity requirements. YASUDA Chemical lists both Technical Grade and ACS Grade ammonium acetate.
It should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location in tightly closed packaging and protected from moisture. Always follow the supplier's SDS and handling instructions.
The formula for ammonium acetate is CH₃COONH₄, representing a 1:1 combination of the ammonium ion NH₄⁺ and acetate ion CH₃COO⁻. Its molecular weight is approximately 77.08 g/mol, and it is generally supplied as a white crystalline material that dissolves readily in water.
Its combination of high solubility, ionic character, and useful chemical behavior makes ammonium acetate valuable in analytical chemistry, organic synthesis, pharmaceutical manufacturing, textile processing, and other industrial applications.
When selecting ammonium acetate for laboratory or industrial use, buyers should consider not only the chemical formula but also grade, assay, impurity limits, packaging, storage requirements, and the specific needs of the intended process.
