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| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name Ammonium sodium phosphate | |
| Other names Microcosmic salt, ammonium sodium hydrogen phosphate or phosphorsalz | |
| Identifiers | |
3D model (JSmol) | |
| ChemSpider |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.128.899 |
| EC Number |
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| UNII | |
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| Properties | |
| Na(NH4)HPO4 | |
| Molar mass | 137.0077 g/mol |
| Appearance | odorless crystals |
| Density | 1.544 g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 80 °C (176 °F; 353 K) |
| 5 parts cold, 1 part boiling water. Practically insoluble inethanol | |
| Structure | |
| Monoclinic | |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in theirstandard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
Microcosmic salt (see infobox for systematic names) is a salt found inurine with the formula Na(NH4)HPO4. It is left behind in the residues after extracting theurea from driedurine crystals with alcohol. In the mineral form, microcosmic salt is calledstercorite.
Its name was coined in Latin (sal microcosmicum) byParacelsus in the 16th century, but it was also referenced byPseudo-Geber in the late Middle Ages; another alchemical name for it wassal urinae fixum (as opposed tosal urinae volatile).[2] The first extraction of purephosphorus came from this salt in the 17th century, whenHennig Brandt attempted to extractgold from urine.
Microcosmic salt is used in the laboratory as an essential ingredient of themicrocosmic salt bead test for identification of metallic radicals on the basis of the color they produce inoxidizing or reducing flame, in hot or cold conditions.
Microcosmic salts form atetrahydrate.
