[ejnov]

Hi Chemical Forums,

I'm testing Ammonium Bicarbonate in a fermentation process. Is it possible for Ammonium Bicarbonate to 'salt out' Ethanol?

Ionic compounds such as Sodium Carbonate and Ammonium Sulfate are able to salt out ethanol. As a salt insoluble in alcohol and very soluble in water, I'd assume it would. Although, because of its volatility as a salt, I'm wondering if it would instead decompose in a water-ethanol mix solution.

Thank You,

EJ

[OrgXemProf]

When you speak of "volatility" in the context of ammonium bicarbonate are you referring to the fact that this salt is thermally unstable and must be kept cold in solution to avoid decomposition?

Seems to me that as long as you prevent ammonium bicarbonate from decomposing it should promote salting-out of ethanol in the same manner as the other ionic compounds that you mentioned (sodium carbonate and ammonium sulfate).

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonium_bicarbonate

[phth]

Can you design an experiment to test the salting out?  First, what variables do we need to consider?

[ejnov]

Hi,

I added Ethanol to a 1M aqueous Ammonium Bicarbonate solution. Gas bubbles formed and the Ethanol and water did not separate. Why is this?

Thanks,

EJ

[Archy12345]

The ammonium ion is acidic and the bicarbonate ion is basic. The bicarbonate would have accepted a hydrogen from the ammonium ion. I'm sure you can figure out the rest.

[walter.white]

alcohol are not enough acidic to react with NaHCO3 and to form salt ( to extract )