Nomenclature
CAS number: 8000-73-5
Hartshorn salt.
Description and references
A mixture of ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium
carbamate, obtained by subliming a mixture of ammonium sulfate and
calcium carbonate. Contains 30-34% NH3, about 45% CO2. See USP XVII, p 941. Review: Allen, “Ammonium Carbonate”
in Mellor's Vol. VIII, supplement 1, Nitrogen (part 1) 459-468 (1964).
Properties
Colorless, hard, translucent, crystalline masses,
white cubes or powder; strong odor of ammonia; sharp taste and alkaline
reactions. Decomposes on exposure to air with loss of NH3 and CO2, becoming white and powdery and converting into
ammonium bicarbonate. Volatilizes at about 60°. Freely sol in water.
Decomposed by hot water. The carbamate portion dissolves in alcohol.
Keep tightly closed in a cool place.Incompat. Acids and acid salts; salts
of iron, zinc; alkaloids, alum, calomel, tartar emetic.
Use
In baking powders, for washing and defatting woolens,
tanning; as mordant in dyeing; manuf rubber articles, casein glue,
casein colors; in fire extinguishers, smelling salts; for separating
cacao constituents; as a reagent in analytical chemistry for pH adjustment.
Pharmaceutic aid (source of ammonia; alkalinizing agent; buffering
agent).