Question

Give two important uses of ammonium hydroxide.

Answer 1

Ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) is an important reagent and can be used in a variety of applications in qualitative analysis, for example,

1. For precipitation of metal cations: Ammonium hydroxide precipitates various metal cations from salt solutions. Coloured precipitates aid in detecting cations.
2. For formation of complex salts: Ammonium hydroxide forms complex salts with specific metal cations. These salts have different colours and help detect metal cations.
3. For making the medium weakly basic: Ammonium hydroxide is weakly basic. In solution, it weakens the medium, making it easier to identify certain radicals.