Ammonium Chloride

(Ph Eur monograph 0007)

NH₄Cl    53.49     12125-02-9

Used for the acidification of urine and to correct metabolic alkalosis.

Ammonium Chloride Mixture

Ph Eur

99.0 per cent to 100.5 per cent (dried substance).

White or almost white, crystalline powder or colourless crystals.

Freely soluble in water.

A. It gives the reactions of chlorides (2.3.1).

B. 10 mL of solution S (see Tests) gives the reaction of ammonium salts (2.3.1).

Dissolve 10.0 g in carbon dioxide-free water R prepared from distilled water R and dilute to 100 mL with the same solvent.

Solution S is clear (2.2.1) and colourless (2.2.2, Method II).

To 10 mL of solution S add 0.05 mL of methyl red solution R. Not more than 0.5 mL of 0.01 M hydrochloric acid or 0.01 M sodium hydroxide is required to change the colour of the indicator.

To 10 mL of solution S add 0.1 mL of dilute hydrochloric acid R and 0.05 mL of chloramine solution R. After 1 min, add 2 mL of chloroform R and shake vigorously. The chloroform layer remains colourless (2.2.2, Method I).

Maximum 150 ppm.

Dilute 10 mL of solution S to 15 mL with distilled water R.

Maximum 200 ppm.

Dilute 5 mL of solution S to 15 mL with distilled water R.

Maximum 20 ppm.

Dilute 5 mL of solution S to 10 mL with water R.

Maximum 10 ppm.

12 mL of solution S complies with test A. Prepare the reference solution using lead standard solution (1 ppm Pb) R.

Maximum 1.0 per cent, determined on 1.00 g by drying in an oven at 105 °C for 2 h.

Maximum 0.1 per cent, determined on 2.0 g.

Dissolve 1.000 g in 20 mL of water R and add a mixture of 5 mL of formaldehyde solution R, previously neutralised to phenolphthalein solution R, and 20 mL of water R. After 1-2 min, titrate slowly with 1 M sodium hydroxide, using a further 0.2 mL of the same indicator.

1 mL of 1 M sodium hydroxide is equivalent to 53.49 mg of NH₄Cl.

Ph Eur