Ammonium salts, decompositions, proton transfer

Ammonium salts of the zeolites differ from most of the compounds containing this cation discussed above, in that the anion is a stable network of A104 and Si04 tetrahedra with acid groups situated within the regular channels and pore structure. The removal of ammonia (and water) from such structures has been of interest owing to the catalytic activity of the decomposition product. It is believed [1006] that the first step in deammination is proton transfer (as in the decomposition of many other ammonium salts) from NH4 to the (Al, Si)04 network with —OH production. This reaction is 90% complete by 673 K [1007] and water is lost by condensation of the —OH groups (773—1173 K). The rate of ammonia evolution and the nature of the residual product depend to some extent on reactant disposition [1006,1008]. 

Ammonium salts have been grouped in a separate chapter to emphasize the similarities of behaviour in reactions involving the NH4 ion, or yielding the volatile NH3 molecule, following a proton transfer step. Detailed kinetic studies have been published for the sohd-state decompositions of many ammonium salts. Comparisons with the metal salts containing the same anion are often useful. The reactions of sohd coordination compounds in which ammonia is present as a ligand are discussed in Chapter 17. 

A common feature of the decompositions of many ammonium compounds is the identification of the first step in reaction as proton transfer. The consequent accumulation of protons with the residual oxy-anions may be followed by the elimination of water, accompanied by condensation (or continued condensation) of the anions, see chromates and phosphates above, ultimately leading to residual oxide formation. Alternatively the acid may be volatilized, many ammonium salts sublime... 

Ammonium carbamate is prepared from dry ice and liquid ammonia [14]. These conditions are very similar to the conditions under which we have observed the formation of amine salts. To some readers, ammonium carbamate may seem to be an exotic compound. In fact, it is manufactured industrially on a multiton scale, because on heating (usually at 100-185°C) ammonium carbamate is converted to urea and water [14-16]. Urea is important for both the agricultural and the plastics industries. The ammonium carbamate is not always isolated during urea preparation. Instead, the reactions are carried out under conditions where the carbamate is just an intermediate. Ammonium carbamate is only moderately stable and it gradually loses ammonia in air. Although the data are sparse, the rate of decomposition of carbamates in solution seems to decrease as the volatility of the parent amine decreases [17]. Free carbamic acids in solution do not decompose spontaneously to free amine and C02. Instead, the acid ionizes by reaction with water the proton is transferred from the hydronium ion to the amine and then decomposition occurs [17]. Acids catalyze the decomposition. 

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