Substance profile
Ammonium hydroxide
Ammonium hydroxide is a colorless liquid with an intense, pungent, suffocating odor.
01 · Identification
What Ammonium hydroxide is
Ammonium hydroxide is a colorless liquid with an intense, pungent, suffocating odor. It boils at 38 °C, melts at -58 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
Other names for Ammonium hydroxide
- ammonia solution
- aqueous ammonia
- ammonia water
- NH4OH
- Ammonia, Aqua
- Ammonia, Monohydrate
- Aqua Ammonia
- ammonia ....%
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P273, P280, P301, P310, P331, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Ammonium hydroxide properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 38 °C (100.4 °F) | ICSC | |
| 36 °C (96.8 °F) | at 760 mmHg | DOE PAC | |
| Melting point | -58 °C (-72.4 °F) | ICSC | |
| -77 °C (-106.6 °F) | DOE PAC | ||
| Density | 0.9 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 0.9 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| About 0.90 @ 25 °C/25 °C | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Exists only in solution | HSDB | |
| Solubility in water: miscible | ICSC | ||
| Vapor pressure | 360.03 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC |
| 2160 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor density | 0.6 (air = 1) | ICSC | |
| Odor threshold | Odor Threshold Low: 50.0 [ppm] | Haz-Map | |
| [HSDB] Odor threshold from CHRIS | Haz-Map | ||
| Corrosivity | Dissolves copper, zinc | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Ammonium hydroxide
Storage conditions
Keep cool in strong glass, plastic, or rubber stoppered bottles not completely filled. /Ammonia water: 28-29%/
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Incompatible materials
CAUSTIC LIQ FORMS EXPLOSIVE CMPD WITH MANY HEAVY METALS SUCH AS SILVER, LEAD, ZINC, & THEIR SALTS, ESPECIALLY HALIDE SALTS.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE reacts exothermically with acids. Evolves toxic gaseous ammonia with strong bases. Reacts extremely violently with dimethyl sulfate [NFPA 491M 1991]. Reacts with aqueous silver nitrate sodium hydroxide to give a black precipitate of silver nitride. Such a precipitate can explode on stirring [MCA Case History 1554 1968]. Aqueous ammonia and Hg react to form an explosive solid, likely a fulminate. (Thodos, G. Amer. Inst. Chen. Engrs. J., 1964, 10, 274.).
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Ammonium hydroxide in the storage compatibility matrix →
Next