THE CHEMISTRY OF THE MAIN COMPOUND OF ABC FIRE STINGUSHER

MONOAMMONIUM PHOSPHATE

OBJECTIVES
-Synthesize monoammonium phosphate from reagents ammonia and phosphoric acid.
- Evaluate the type of compound, ionic or covalent and determine the physical properties
of a substance such as crystal structure, solubility, conductivity and melting point,
properties that tell us a lot about the type of bonding in a compound.
-Evaluate (𝑁𝐻4 )𝐻2 𝑃𝑂4's reaction to fire (fire test).
INTRODUCTION
Have you ever wondered how it works and what fire extinguishers are made of? There
are different types of fire as well as different types of extinguishers to suffocate each one
of them depending on their characteristics. Fire extinguishers have a dry powder inside
that consist scomposed of a mixture of several components. The first models of dry
chemical powder extinguishers used sodium bicarbonate whose use became widespread
for its good extinguishing properties. Today, there are new extinguishing agents more
effective, based on monoamonic phosphate, ammonium sulfate or potassium bicarbonate.
The extinguisher of type ABC in special can extinguish different kinds of fire, such as
papers, gasoline, electrical fire etc. As to how the fire extinguisher works, we have that
according to EEEE the mechanism behind a fire extinguisher is in the transitions that
present the powder particles that compose the extinguisher, transitions such as
vaporization and decomposition, in addition to the capacity of absorption of heat of the
same ones. Another determining factor is the size of the dry powder particles, and the
chemical reaction that takes place. Thus, the extinguishing capacity is favored by small
particles and greater heat absorption capacity.
To be able to extinguish a fire, dry chemical powders need to directly interfere with the
elements that form the fire. Therefore, when chemical powders are discharged against
fire, mono ammonium phosphate is broken down by heat, leaving a sticky residue called
melase (metaphosphoric acids). This residue assimilates the incandescent material of
oxygen, thus extinguishing the fire and preventing its resignation.
The thermal descomposition equations are expressed as follows:
 Mono ammonium phosphate
𝑁𝐻4 𝐻2 𝑃𝑂4 → 𝐻2 𝑃𝑂4 + 𝑁𝐻3
2𝐻3 𝑃𝑂4 → 𝐻4 𝑃2 𝑂7 + 𝐻2 𝑂
𝐻4 𝑃2 𝑂7 → 2𝐻𝑃𝑂3 + 𝐻2 𝑂
2𝐻𝑃𝑂3 → 𝑃2 𝑂5 + 𝐻2 𝑂
  Ammonium sulfate
(𝑁𝐻4 )2 𝑆𝑂4 → 𝑁𝐻4 𝐻𝑃𝑂4
(𝑁𝐻4 )2 𝑆𝑂4 → 2𝑁𝐻3 + 𝐻2 𝑂

For a better understanding, in this practice we will analyze the chemistry behind the main
components of an extinguisher, the extinguisher type ABC, whose components are
ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and ammonium sulfate. To achieve this, we will
synthesize the compounds, then evaluate the type of bond, melting point, crystallinity and
other characteristics that will allow us to have a clear idea about the compound. in
addition, we will perform a fire test to see the behavior of such compounds in front of
heat.
Ammonium sulfate and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate are synthesized from
ammonium hydroxide and sulphuric acid in a neutralization reaction, and from
concentrated ammonia and phosphoric acid respectively.
𝑁𝐻3 + 𝐻3 𝑃𝑂4 → (𝑁𝐻4 )𝐻2 𝑃𝑂4
2𝑁𝐻4 𝑂𝐻 + 𝐻2 𝑆𝑂4 → (𝑁𝐻4 )2 𝑆𝑂4 + 𝐻2 𝑂

……………..

SAFETY

Phosphoric acid is corrosive. In the event of skin contact, wash the affected area with
copious amounts of water. Contact with the eyes can cause serious long term
damage. In the event of eye contact, go to the nearest eyewash and rinse the eyes for up
to 15 minutes. Have all areas of contact evaluated by qualified medical personnel.

Gasoline is flammable. Work with the methanol away from any ignition source.

REAGENTS/MATERIALS

Ammonia, Phosphoric acid, Sulphuric acid, Ammonium hydroxide, distilled water,

ethanol, gasoline

Magnetic stirrer, 500-mL beaker, Rotavap evaporator, stirring mantle, ice bath, filter
paper, funnel, watch glass, spatula
Plastic tray, thermometer, 2 sheets of aluminium 10 x 6 cm, beaker 500ml, rystallizer
container, cardboard box with cork, heat mantle

Melt-Temp apparatus, glass capillary tube

slides, microscope

ethanol, gasoline
3 test tubes, test tube rack,

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
Synthesis of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate
-Weigh 98g of phosphoric acid and pour them into a 500ml beaker.
-Weigh 17g of concentrated ammonia and add them to the beaker with phosphoric acid.
- Using a stirring mantle and with the help of a magnetic stirrer, shake the mixture for 5
minutes.
-Then, pour the beaker solution into an evaporation flask and with the help of a Rotavap
evaporator, evaporate the solution to dryness. This step must be performed at a
temperature in the range of 273-400K and at 400 r.p.m stirring rate.
- When the steps are completed, cool the flask with a cold water bath to accelerate
crystallization a white solid will appear on the bottom of the flask indicating that the
reaction has been satisfactorily completed.
-using (cold water or ethanol) wash the contents of the flask and filter. Then place the
precipitate together with the filter paper in a watch glass and dry with the help of the
electric oven at 60ºC.
Recrystallization

Monoammonium phosphate crystallization

-We will use a plastic tray, where we will pour a solution of phosphate and water, 300g
and 500mL respectively. We will let it crystallize in a couple of days, later we will extract
a few seeds: in the form of cubes or sheets.
-Pour the water into a container, together with the monoammonium phosphate and the
two aluminium sheets of 10x6cm (the aluminium should not be more than 10 minutes) so
that it dissolves, heating it until it reaches a temperature of 75ºC.
-Once dissolved, it is poured into the crystallising container, which is placed in the
cardboard box and left to cool for 5 to 10 minutes, to 50-60ºC.
-After these 10 minutes the seed of the initial step is introduced and left for a week,
obtaining the final crystal.
Determining the melting point
-A Melt-Temp apparatus is used in this experiment as well in order to find the melting
point of the synthesized substance. To use this apparatus, one must use a small glass
capillary tube to scoop up a small amount of the ammonium dihydrogen phosphate and
then place this capillary tube inside the apparatus. Once this is set up, turning on the
apparatus will slowly heat up an aluminum block touching both the capillary tube
and a thermometer. By observing the substance and noting at which temperature the
substance starts to melt then what the temperature the substance is completely melted, it
is then possible to determine the range of the melting point.
Crystal Structure
-Take a small sample of the product obtained, place it on the slide and proceed to analyze
its structure under the microscope.
-After performing the procedure, do you consider that ammonium dihydrogen phosphate
is a crystalline solid? remember that a crystalline structure is a structure with order where
the atoms that compose it form symmetrical three-dimensional matrices or networks. An
amorphous structure is a structure without specific internal order, its components are
distributed at random without recognizable patterns.
Solubility
-Take three test tubes and label them with the numbers 1, 2, and 3 for water, ethanol, and
gasoline respectively.
-Add 2ml of each substance in its respective container and add a small amount of
(𝑁𝐻4 )𝐻2 𝑃𝑂4.
-Shake vigorously and write down the observations, if not dissolved try applying heat,
write down the new results.
Fire Test
-pour 3ml of gasoline in a petri dish and light a fire.
- Sprinkle abundant amount of (𝑁𝐻4 )𝐻2 𝑃𝑂4 . Note observations.

FINAL QUESTIONS

-After performing the procedure, do you consider that ammonium dihydrogen phosphate
is a crystalline solid? remember that a crystalline structure is a structure with order where
the atoms that compose it form symmetrical three-dimensional matrices or networks. An
amorphous structure is a structure without specific internal order, its components are
distributed at random without recognizable patterns.

REFERENCES
 Demsa,(2018). Manual de polvos químicos secos. Buenos Aires, Argentina:
Campana.
 Chem, C.C; Liaw, H.J & Wang, S.C. (2014). The assessment of fire suspension
capability for the ammonium dihydrogen phosphate dry powder of commercial
dire extinguishers. (pp. 486-487). Taiwan: National Kaohsiung First University
of Science ad Tchnology.