Ammonium Hydroxide

About Ammonium Hydroxide

Ammonium Hydroxide, NH₄OH, is formed when ammonia gas (NH₃) is dissolved in water. Ammonia deprotonates a small portion of water molecules leaving the free hydroxide ion, [OH]^-, to form a weakly basic solution that is clear, colorless, with a pungent odor and vapors that may irritate the eyes.

Ammonium Hydroxide, is commonly used in household cleaners, photography, and fertilizers, textiles, rubber, and pharmaceuticals, and as a refrigerant. In food production, it is granted GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status according to the FDA, and may be used to regulate acidity of foodstuffs. It may also find usage in pharmaceutical manufacturing, polymer manufacturing, and in research laboratories. For example, ammonium hydroxide can be used as a pH modifier for the mobile phase in liquid chromatography experiments.

Common Uses and Applications

• Laboratory solvent
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Polymer manufacturing
• Household cleaning reagent
• Food additive/ acidity regulator
• Fertilizer

Industries

• Research Laboratories
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Food Industry
• Polymer Industry