Ammonium hydroxide Percent to normality conversion

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the preparation of a 0.3N ammonium hydroxide solution from a stock solution labeled as "10% assay in water." Participants explore the meaning of the assay percentage, the conversion between normality and molarity, and the appropriate method for preparing the desired solution.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the meaning of "10% assay in water" and whether it refers to v/v or another measurement.
  • Another suggests contacting the manufacturer for clarification on how the assay is specified, noting that for solid solutes it is typically w/w and for liquid solutes often v/v, but ammonium hydroxide may involve molar percentage.
  • A participant explains that normality depends on the reaction context and equivalent weight, emphasizing the importance of understanding how many electrons are transferred in the dissociation of the compound.
  • One participant asserts that commercially available solutions are usually listed as w/v, providing an example with hydrochloric acid to illustrate their point.
  • A later reply humorously acknowledges a lack of need for precise concentrations in their own experience, indicating a more casual approach to reagent use.
  • Another participant questions whether 0.3N is equivalent to molarity, indicating confusion about the relationship between the two measurements.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the interpretation of the assay percentage and the relationship between normality and molarity. There is no consensus on these points, and the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about the assay percentage and the definitions of normality and molarity, which are not fully clarified in the discussion.

KKAK
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Hi all,
I was trying to make a 0.3N ammonium hydroxide solution from the stock (Fluka). The label on the stock says it is "10% assay in water", what does it mean? Is it 10% v/v? How should I prepare a 1ml 0.3N ammonium hydroxide? I don't quite understand the solute mass equivalent concept of normality.

Thank you
 
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You could call the company and find out how they specify the assay. For solid solutes, the assay is typically w/w and for liquid solutes it is often v/v. In this case though, the solute is a highly soluble gas (NH3), and it might turn out that they are using a molar % instead.

As for converting molarity to normality, you need to understand the concept of an equivalent weight. The primary question to ask yourself is this: If I dissociate 1 formula unit of the compound, how many electrons are transferred between the cationic part and the anionic part?

To be more rigorous, the normality is a function of the reaction that the compound is involved in. For some compounds, the normality for a given molarity can be different under different situations. In the case of NH4OH though, this is unlikely.
 
Commercially available solutions are almost always listed as w/v. I've never seen it expressed otherwise. Thus 37.5% hydrochloric acid would be 37.5 grams HCL in 100 mL of solution. It makes the calculations easiest that way since you can weigh an aliquot of the stock solution and dilute to a known volume to obtain your solution.
 
chemisttree said:
Commercially available solutions are almost always listed as w/v. I've never seen it expressed otherwise.
My bad! :redface:

I haven't needed to know the exact concentration of any of the reagents I've used in a long time. The three concentrations I commonly use are: really dilute, straight from the bottle and on the rocks, please! :biggrin:
 
Last edited:
0.3N?

Isn't that M?

>.<
 

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