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The structure of the molecule of urea is O=C(−NH 2) 2.The urea molecule is planar when in a solid crystal because of sp 2 hybridization of the N orbitals. [8] [9] It is non-planar with C 2 symmetry when in the gas phase [10] or in aqueous solution, [9] with C–N–H and H–N–H bond angles that are intermediate between the trigonal planar angle of 120° and the tetrahedral angle of 109.5°.
Nitrification is important in agricultural systems, where fertilizer is often applied as ammonia. Conversion of this ammonia to nitrate increases nitrogen leaching because nitrate is more water-soluble than ammonia. Nitrification also plays an important role in the removal of nitrogen from municipal wastewater.
Putrefying bacteria use amino acids or urea as an energy source to decompose dead organisms. In the process, they produce ammonium ions. Nitrifying bacteria then convert this ammonium into nitrate by oxidation, which can then be used by plants to create more proteins thus completing the nitrogen cycle. [6] This process is called nitrification.
[12] [13] Complete nitrification, the conversion of ammonia to nitrate in a single step known as comammox, has an energy yield (∆G°′) of −349 kJ mol −1 NH 3, while the energy yields for the ammonia-oxidation and nitrite-oxidation steps of the observed two-step reaction are −275 kJ mol −1 NH 3, and −74 kJ mol −1 NO 2 − ...
Urea nitrate is produced in one step by reaction of urea with nitric acid. This is an exothermic reaction, so steps must be taken to control the temperature. It was discovered in 1797 by William Cruickshank, [4] inventor of the Chloralkali process. Urea nitrate explosions may be initiated using a blasting cap. [3]
Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, such as ammonium nitrate and urea, are commonly applied to crops to replenish soil nitrogen levels and enhance crop productivity [3] These fertilizers provide readily available nitrogen for plant uptake, thereby promoting vigorous vegetative growth and improving yields.
Example conversion factors, known as N factors, for foods range from 6.38 for dairy and 6.25 for meat, eggs, maize (corn) and sorghum to 5.83 for most grains; 5.95 for rice, 5.70 for wheat flour, and 5.46 for peanuts. [7] In practice, 6.25 is used for almost all food and feed regardless of applicability.
Comammox (COMplete AMMonia OXidation) is the name attributed to an organism that can convert ammonia into nitrite and then into nitrate through the process of nitrification. [1] Nitrification has traditionally been thought to be a two-step process, where ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and archaea oxidize ammonia to nitrite and then nitrite ...