History to invention of Ammonia

At the end of the 19th century, Chilean nitrates, were the

major source of nitrates at the time. It was clear, that this
source would not be able to meet future demands. It was
also realised that in the event of a war, any nation cut off
from the Chilean supply, would not be able to make
adequate amounts of munitions. Germany (Habers native
country) was in particular dependent on this source of
nitrogen compounds, to manufacture explosives. Following
the allied block of the South American ports, this supply
was well and truly cut off. An alternative method of
producing nitrates was needed. Haber promptly got to
work on the problem. In World War 1, had Haber not
invented the process, Germany would have been forced to
surrender years earlier than it did. As a result the Haber-
Bosch process indirectly, cost thousands of people their
lives.
 Preparation of Ammonia
Industrial Preparation Laboratory Preparation of
 Name of Process ammonia
: Haber Process Any ammonium salt when
Conditions warmed with an alkaline or
5. 450C to 500C base will produce ammonia
6. Iron Catalyst
7. 200 atmosphers
Equation
4. Nitrogen : fractional distillation of air
Hydrogen : Steam cracking of methane. 4
NH X (s)+ Y OH (aq)  NH3+ H2O +
 N2+ 3H2  2NH3 YX
 exothermic reaction
 15% yield because reaction is reversible 2NH4CL + CaO -- NH3+ H2O +
CaCl2
 Fertilizers
 What is a good fertiliser?
High nitrogen content
Soluble in water
Easily absorbed by plant
Cheap
Will not increase acidity of soil ( reduced by adding lime, limestone, slaked lime)

 Why we never add fertiliser and lime the soil at the same time ?

both substances will react to give off ammonia and waste the fertiliser.
Plants did not absorb the nitrogen as lost in escaping ammonia.
 Nutrients needed by plants
Potassium Nitrogen Phosphorus

Importance to To have To make To have

plants strong shoot, proteins strong roots
Efficient
photosynthsis
Fruit
production
Absorbed as K+ NH4+ ions PO43-
source In KNO3 NH4NO3 K3PO4
(NH4)2 SO4
 Properties
Physical Properties Chemical Properties
2. Alkaline gas
 Pungent smell
3. Dissolve in water to form aqueous
 Very soluble in water ammonia which is a weak alkaline.
( few OH- ions more molecules )
 Less dense than air.
3. React with acids to form ammonium salts.
 Colourless gas 4. Reducing agent .
Reduce less reactive metal oxide (CuO)
to metal.
5. Nitrate ions reduced by sodium hydroxide and
aluminium metal will give ammonia

Test for ammonia gas. Test for ammonium ions

 Add CuSO4 solution to it, a blue ppt which dissolve
2. Turn moist red litmus to from a dark blue solution.
blue 2. Add sodium hydroxide and warm. Test gas evolved
with red litmus.
 Uses of ammonia
 Refrigerant
 Fertilisers: Ammonium sulphate , Ammonium
nitrate
 To make nitric acid
 Nylon making
 Household cleaners 
 the dyeing of cotton, wool and silk