Alcohol Ammoniatum. Ammoniated Alcohol.
Ammoniated alcohol may be prepared by warming strong solution of ammonia, in a retort, to a temperature not exceeding 60°, cooling the gas produced in a condenser, washing it by passing it through a little alcohol, and then passing the washed gas into alcohol until the latter has increased in weight by about one-ninth. After estimation by titration with volumetric solution of sulphuric acid, the solution is diluted with alcohol until it contains 10 per cent. of ammonia. It occurs as a colourless liquid, smelling of ammonia. Specific gravity, 0.808 to 0.810.
Uses.—Ammoniated alcohol is used as a solvent in alkaloidal extractions. It is used for filling smelling-bottles, but a mixture of equal parts of alcohol and strong solution of ammonia, or 3 of alcohol and 1 of strong solution of ammonia, may also be employed; the larger proportion of alcohol prevents solution of the lumps of ammonium carbonate. It is also used in the preparation of paragons.
