Ammonium Oxalate is a chemical compound commonly used in the preparation of photographic films. It has a complex spelling with challenging phonetics. The word is pronounced [əˈmoʊniəm ɒkˈsəleɪt] in IPA phonetic transcription. The first part of the word starts with a schwa sound followed by the stressed syllable "moni", pronounced with a long "o" vowel. The second word "Oxalate" is pronounced with the stressed syllable "ox" with a short "o" vowel sound followed by the unstressed syllable "late".
Ammonium oxalate is a chemical compound with the molecular formula (NH4)2C2O4. It is derived from the combination of ammonium ions (NH4+) and oxalate ions (C2O4^2-).
Ammonium oxalate is a white, crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water. It possesses a molar mass of approximately 124.10 grams per mole. This compound can be synthesized by reacting ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) with oxalic acid (H2C2O4) or by mixing ammonium carbonate [(NH4)2CO3] with oxalic acid.
The primary use of ammonium oxalate is in analytical chemistry. It is employed as a reducing agent to determine the presence of cerium, vanadium, and other elements in various chemical reactions. Additionally, ammonium oxalate is utilized in gravimetric analysis to precipitate metals such as calcium, lead, and others.
When heated, ammonium oxalate can decompose to release toxic and flammable gases, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and ammonia. Thus, it should be handled with caution and stored in appropriate containers.
In conclusion, ammonium oxalate is a compound formed by the combination of ammonium ions and oxalate ions. It is frequently employed in analytical chemistry as a reducing agent and for gravimetric analysis purposes. While it is a useful chemical, precautions must be taken due to its potential toxicity and flammability when heated.
The word ammonium originates from the Latin word ammoniacum, referring to the gum resin of Ammoniacum, a plant used in ancient times to produce a strong-smelling gum. The term ammoniacum was derived from the Greek word ammoniakon, meaning salt produced in the temple of Jupiter Amun in ancient Egypt.
The word oxalate comes from the Greek word oxalis, which means sorrel or acetosella, a type of sour plant. Oxalis was further derived from the Greek word oxys, meaning sharp or sour.
Combining the two terms, ammonium and oxalate, forms the chemical compound ammonium oxalate.