Ammonium sulfamate

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Ammonium sulfamate
Ammonium sulfamate sulphamate bag.jpg
Ammonium sulfamate crystals
Names
IUPAC name
Ammonium sulfamate
Other names
Amicide
Ammate X-NI
Ammonium amidosulfonate
Ammonium sulphamate
Properties
H6N2O3S
Molar mass 114.125 g/mol
Appearance White crystalline solid, hygroscopic
Odor Odorless
Density 1.8 g/cm3
Melting point 131 °C (268 °F; 404 K)
Boiling point 160 °C (320 °F; 433 K) (decomposes)
197.8 g/100 ml (25 °C)[1]
Solubility Soluble in ethylene glycol, formamide, glycerol, liq. NH3
Insoluble in diethyl ether, ethanol, methanol, n-octanol
Vapor pressure ~0 mmHg
Acidity (pKa) 6
Hazards
Safety data sheet Sigma-Aldrich
Flash point Non-flammable
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
2,000 mg/kg (rat, oral)
3,100 mg/kg (mouse, oral)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Sulfamic acid
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Ammonium sulfamate (or ammonium sulphamate) is a white crystalline solid, readily soluble in water. It has the formula H6N2O3S, also written NH4SO3NH2.

Properties

Chemical

Ammonium sulfamate reacts with benzamide at high temperatures to form benzonitrile.

Physical

Ammonium sulfamate is a hygroscopic white solid, soluble in water.

Availability

Ammonium sulfamate is sold as compost accelerator, and it's very pure. In UK, it is sold by Lancelot Garden Products and can be bought in 1, 5, 10 or 25 kg bags.

Ammonium sulfamate is no longer an accepted herbicide in the EU since 2008[2] due to the Irish Rapporteur not receiving testing on dogs for said chemical and thus the compound did not receive the license to be allowed as herbicide.[3] However, ammonium sulfamate is still legally allowed to be used as compost accelerator. Since both products are found in the same section of most stores (gardening) or online stores just a click away, nothing will stop anyone who knew that the compost accelerator can also be used as herbicide to, well, use it as herbicide.

Preparation

Ammonium sulfamate can be prepared by neutralizing sulfamic acid with ammonia. Ammonium bicarbonate can also be used.

(OH)SO2(NH2) + NH3 → NH4SO3NH2

To limit hydrolysis, the reaction temperature must be kept below 50 °C.

Sodium chlorosulfonate (which can be obtained from the reaction of chlorosulfuric acid or sulfur trioxide with dry sodium chloride) reacts with ammonia at -33 °C to form ammonium sulfamate, at around 53% yield. The reaction is describe as vigorous. Ammonium sulfate and ammonium imidodisulfonate are produced as side products.[4]

NaSO3Cl + 2 NH3 → NH4SO3NH2 + NaCl

Projects

Handling

Safety

Ammonium sulfamate is considered to be slightly toxic to humans and animals, making it appropriate for amateur home garden, professional and forestry uses. It is generally accepted to be safe for use on plots of land that will be used for growing fruit and vegetables intended for consumption.

It is also considered to be environmentally friendly due to its degradation to non-harmful residues.

Storage

In closed airtight bottles or bags, since it's hygroscopic.

Disposal

No special disposal is required. You may dilute it in water and pour it down the drain or dump it over weeds.

References

  1. Standritchuk, O. Z.; Maksin, V. I.; Zapol'skii, A. K.; Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry; vol. 63; nb. 9; (1989)
  2. https://www.allotment-garden.org/garden-diary/1989/ammonium-sulphamate-weed-killer-banned/
  3. https://web.archive.org/web/20091113071628/http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/garden.asp?id=1997
  4. H. H. Sisler and L. F. Audrieth, The Action of Liquid Ammonia upon Sulfur Trioxide Addition Compounds, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1939, 61, 12, 3392–3393

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