Hydrogen Bonding in Ammonia

In simple terms, hydrogen bonding is the formation of hydrogen bonds. It mainly occurs between an electronegative and a hydrogen atom. Some of the common electronegative atoms are fluorine, chlorine, and oxygen. Compared to the covalent or ionic bond, the hydrogen bond is generally weaker. However, it is stronger than the van der Waals forces. Experts classified hydrogen bonds as a type of weak chemical bond. 

Today, on the topic of hydrogen bonding in ammonia, we will learn about hydrogen bonding and hydrogen bonding in ammonia importance along with related topics in detail. 

Hydrogen Bonding 

Hydrogen bonding can be described as the process of forming hydrogen bonds that are an attractive intermolecular force’s special class, which arises because of the dipole-dipole interaction between the hydrogen atom and highly electronegative atom. For example, in the case of water molecules, chemically denoted as H2O, hydrogen is bonded covalently to the electronegative oxygen atom. 

As a result, hydrogen bonding rises in the water molecules because of the dipole-dipole interactions among oxygen atoms and hydrogen atoms. According to the experts, the hydrogen bonding is mostly strong when compared to the normal dispersion and dipole-dipole forces; however, it appears to be weak if compared to ionic bonds or true covalent bonds. Further, hydrogen bonding is divided into two major parts. These include- 

• Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonding is a type of hydrogen bonding where it takes place between different molecules that have either the same or different compounds. 

• Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding is another type of hydrogen bonding that mainly occurs within the molecule only. This type of hydrogen bonding takes place in compounds that have two groups. 

Ammonia

The ammonia chemical formula is NH3. It is a compound of hydrogen and nitrogen. Ammonia is a gas that has no colour and has a distinct pungent smell. Ammonia is a nitrogenous waste that is released by aquatic organisms more. It fulfils the nutritional needs of terrestrial organisms. Ammonia serves as a precursor to 45% of the world’s fertilisers and food. Ammonia is used to synthesise many pharmaceutical products. Ammonia is also used in commercial cleaning products.

Hydrogen Bonding in Ammonia 

In ammonia, chemically represented as NH3), the total number of the hydrogen bonds is limited as every nitrogen has only one electron pair shared with the single hydrogen. In the ammonia molecule group, the lone pair of electrons is not enough for forming the hydrogen bond. Ammonia has electronegative atom nitrogen connected to hydrogen atoms. 

Preparation of Ammonia  

Ammonia is found in soil and air due to the decay of organisms. Soil ammonia is nitrogenous in nature. 

To produce ammonia in small quantity ammonium salt is made to react with caustic soda – 

2NH4Cl + Ca (OH)2 → 2NH3 + 2H2O + CaCl2

To produce ammonia in large quantities, Haber’s process is used.

N2 (g) + 3H2 (g) ↔ 2NH3 (g)

• For the reaction, nitrogen and hydrogen are taken as raw materials. By scrubbing, impurities are removed from the gases.

• Raw nitrogen and hydrogen are amalgamated together. After that, compressed in a compressor at a pressure of 200 atm.

• After that, the mixture is heated at 450 degrees Celsius in a converter at 200 atm.

• The hydrogen, ammonia, and nitrogen mixture is collected from the converter. 

• The mixture is cooled down and collected in a tank in liquid form.

Properties of Ammonia 

The following are the properties of ammonia –  

• Physical Properties

Ammonia is a colourless gas with a distinct pungent odour. Ammonia has a soapy taste. Ammonia is a very light gas more than air. Ammonia dissolves in water very quickly. Ammonia melts at room temperature.

• Chemical Properties

The following are the chemical properties – 

Combustibility – In the air, it is flammable.

Thermal Stability – Ammonia is inert. We can disintegrate ammonia into nitrogen and hydrogen by advancing over metallic impetuses that have been heated.

Basic Character – The compound has a propensity to provide its lone pair of electrons of nitrogen to other different atoms. Ammonia acts as a strong Lewis base.

Structure of Ammonia

The ammonia chemical formula is NH3, and its molecular weight is 17.031 g/mol. There are single bonds between the nitrogen atoms and three hydrogen atoms. The density of ammonia is 0.73 kg/m³. The melting point of ammonia is −77.73 °C. The Boiling Point of Ammonia is -33.34 °C.

Uses of Ammonia

• It is used to produce sodium carbonate.

• It is used to produce nitric acid.

• It is used to produce composts, for example, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulphate, urea diammonium phosphate.

• In ice plants, ammonia is used as a refrigerant. More frequently, we also use it as a refrigerant.

• Ammonia is used as a purging operator for glass surfaces and furniture in the furniture industry.

Conclusion 

Ammonia is a gas made from hydrogen and oxygen and is essential for plants and animals. Nitric acid is a very corrosive mineral acid. Ammonia is a colourless gas with a distinct pungent odour. The ammonia chemical formula is NH3, and its molecular weight is 17.031 g/mol. 

Ammonia is prepared by many methods; one of them is Haber’s process. It is used to produce sodium carbonate, Nitric Acid, and so on. Ammonia has electronegative atom nitrogen connected to hydrogen atoms. We ended the topic with several uses of ammonia and hydrogen bonding in ammonia importance.