Ammonium oxalate

Ammonium oxalate

Structural formula of ammonium oxalate

Ammonium oxalate is a chemical compound with the formula (NH_)_C_O_. It is the ammonium salt of oxalic acid. This compound is commonly used in analytical chemistry and various industrial applications.

Chemical properties

Ammonium oxalate is a white, crystalline solid that is soluble in water. It is a salt formed by the combination of ammonium ions (NH__) and oxalate ions (C_O___). The compound can exist in different hydrated forms, with the monohydrate being the most common.

Uses

Ammonium oxalate is used in several applications:

• Analytical chemistry: It is used as a reagent to precipitate calcium ions in the form of calcium oxalate, which is useful in gravimetric analysis.
• Biochemistry: It is used in the preparation of buffer solutions and as a stabilizing agent in certain biochemical assays.
• Photography: It is used in the preparation of certain photographic developers.

Safety

Ammonium oxalate is considered to be toxic if ingested, as it can cause irritation to the gastrointestinal tract and may lead to oxalate poisoning. It is important to handle this compound with care, using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and goggles.

Related compounds

Ammonium oxalate is related to other oxalate salts, such as sodium oxalate and potassium oxalate. These compounds share similar properties and uses, particularly in analytical chemistry.

Related pages

• Oxalic acid
• Ammonium
• Calcium oxalate
• Gravimetric analysis