AMMONIUM METAVANADATE Meaning and
Definition
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Ammonium metavanadate is a chemical compound with the molecular formula NH4VO3. It is a solid, white crystalline powder that is highly soluble in water.
Ammonium metavanadate is primarily used as a catalyst and a reagent in various industrial processes. It is commonly employed in the production of ceramics, glass, and pigments. In ceramic manufacturing, ammonium metavanadate functions as a catalyst for the production of high-quality and vibrant glazes. Similarly, it is used in glassmaking to enhance the ultra-violet ray absorption capabilities of special glass types. Additionally, its application in pigment production allows for the creation of vivid colors, especially in the yellow-orange to red range.
Furthermore, ammonium metavanadate is utilized as a precursor for the synthesis of other vanadium compounds. Through chemical reactions, it can be converted to various forms such as ammonium hexafluorovanadate, vanadium pentoxide, and vanadium trioxide. These derivatives find applications in diverse fields including the production of catalysts, dyes, and corrosion inhibitors.
In terms of safety precautions, ammonium metavanadate should be handled with care due to its potential toxic nature. It may cause irritation to the respiratory system, eyes, and skin upon contact. Therefore, appropriate protective gear and measures should be employed when working with this compound.
In summary, ammonium metavanadate is a white crystalline compound used as a catalyst, reagent, and precursor in numerous industrial processes. Its applications span from ceramic and glass production to pigment synthesis, with a wide range of derivatives being created from it for various purposes.
Etymology of AMMONIUM METAVANADATE
The term "ammonium metavanadate" consists of two parts: "ammonium" and "metavanadate".
- "Ammonium" refers to the chemical compound NH4+, which is derived from ammonia (NH3). The word "ammonium" is derived from the Latin word "ammoniacum", which refers to a salt obtained from the dung of the Libyan desert-dwelling ram called Ammon.
- "Metavanadate" is derived from "meta", which is a Greek prefix meaning "beyond" or "after", and "vanadate", which indicates a salt or compound containing vanadium. "Vanadium" itself comes from the Swedish word "Vanadis", an alternate name for the Norse goddess Freyja. It was named so by the Swedish chemist Nils Sefström, who discovered the element vanadium in 1830.
