Microcosmic salt

Microcosmic salt (see infobox for other names) is a salt found in urine with the formula Na(NH₄)HPO₄. It is left behind in the residues after extracting the urea from dried urine crystals with alcohol. In the mineral form, microcosmic salt is called stercorite.

Microcosmic salt[1]

Names
IUPAC name Ammonium sodium phosphate
Other names Microcosmic salt, ammonium sodium phosphate, ammonium sodium hydrogen phosphate or phosphorsalz
Identifiers
CAS Number	7783-13-3
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	140225
ECHA InfoCard	100.128.899
EC Number	250-787-1
PubChem CID	159458
UNII	K78U8WLV4H
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID30718863
InChI InChI=1S/H3N.Na.H3O4P/c;;1-5(2,3)4/h1H3;;(H3,1,2,3,4)/q;+1;/p-1 Key: CUXQLKLUPGTTKL-UHFFFAOYSA-M InChI=1/H3N.Na.H3O4P/c;;1-5(2,3)4/h1H3;;(H3,1,2,3,4)/q;+1;/p-1 Key: CUXQLKLUPGTTKL-REWHXWOFAM
SMILES [NH4+].OP(=O)([O-])[O-].[Na+]
Properties
Chemical formula	Na(NH4)HPO4
Molar mass	137.0077 g/mol
Appearance	odorless crystals
Density	1.544 g/cm^3
Melting point	80 °C (176 °F; 353 K)
Solubility in water	5 parts cold, 1 part boiling water. Practically insoluble in ethanol
Structure
Crystal structure	Monoclinic
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references

The first extraction of pure phosphorus came from this salt, when Hennig Brandt attempted to extract gold from urine.

Microcosmic salt is used in the laboratory as an essential ingredient of the microcosmic salt bead test for identification of metallic radicals on the basis of the color they produce in oxidising or reducing flame, in hot or cold condition.

Microcosmic salts form a tetrahydrate.

References

1. The Merck Index (10th ed.). Merck and Co. Inc. 1983. pp. 561. ISBN 0-911910-27-1.