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| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name Ammonium perchlorate | |
| Other names AP | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) | |
| ChemSpider |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.029.305 |
| EC Number |
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| RTECS number |
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| UNII | |
| UN number | 1442 |
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| Properties | |
| NH4ClO4 | |
| Molar mass | 117.49 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline[1] |
| Density | 1.95 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | Exothermic decomposition before melting at >200 °C[2] |
| 11.56 g/100 mL (0 °C) 20.85 g/100 mL (20 °C) 57.01 g/100 mL (100 °C) | |
| Solubility | Soluble inmethanol Partially soluble inacetone,ethanol Insoluble indiethyl ether[3] |
| Structure | |
| Orthorhombic (<240 °C) Cubic (>240 °C) | |
| Thermochemistry | |
Std enthalpy of formation(ΔfH⦵298) | −295.77 kJ/mol[4] |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling: | |
    | |
| Danger | |
| H201,H271,H319,H373 | |
| P210,P220,P221,P230,P240,P250,P260,P264,P280,P283,P305+P351+P338,P306+P360,P314,P337+P313,P370+P378,P370+P380,P371+P380+P375,P372,P373,P401,P501 | |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
| Safety data sheet (SDS) | Sigma-Aldrich SDS |
| Related compounds | |
Otheranions | Ammonium chlorate Ammonium chloride |
Othercations | Potassium perchlorate Sodium perchlorate Lithium perchlorate |
Related compounds | Perchloric acid Ammonium perbromate |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in theirstandard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Ammonium perchlorate ("AP") is aninorganic compound with the formulaNH4ClO4. It is a colorless or white solid that is soluble in water. It is a powerfuloxidizer and a major component ofammonium perchlorate composite propellant. Its instability has involved it in accidents such as thePEPCON disaster, and has been suspected as the cause of thePort of Shahid Rajaee explosion.
Ammonium perchlorate (AP) is produced by reaction betweenammonia andperchloric acid. This process is the main outlet for the industrial production ofperchloric acid. The salt also can be produced bysalt metathesis reaction of ammonium salts withsodium perchlorate. This process exploits the relatively low solubility ofNH4ClO4, which is about 10% of that for sodium perchlorate.[5]
AP crystallises as colorlessrhombohedra.
Like most ammonium salts, ammonium perchlorate decomposes beforemelting:[citation needed]
The combustion of AP is quite complex and is widely studied. AP crystals decompose before melting, even though a thin liquid layer has been observed on crystal surfaces during high-pressure combustion processes.[6] Strong heating may lead toexplosions. Complete reactions leave no residue. Pure crystals cannot sustain a flame below the pressure of 2 megapascals (290 psi).[citation needed]
AP is a Class 4 oxidizer (can undergo an explosive reaction) for particle sizes over 15 micrometres and is classified as an explosive for particle sizes less than 15 micrometres.[citation needed]
The primary use of ammonium perchlorate is in making solid rocket propellants.[citation needed] When AP is mixed with a fuel (like a powdered aluminium and/or with an elastomericbinder), it can generate self-sustained combustion at pressures far below atmospheric pressure. It is an important oxidizer with a decades-long history of use incomposite rocket propellants (including theSpace Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster), military, amateur, and hobbyist high-power rockets, as well as in some fireworks.[citation needed]
Perchlorate itself confers little acute toxicity. For example, sodium perchlorate has anLD50 of 2–4g/kg and is eliminated rapidly after ingestion.[5] However, chronic exposure to perchlorates, even in low concentrations, has been shown to cause variousthyroid problems, as it is taken up in place of iodine.[citation needed]
