Synthesis, characterization, and thermodynamic study of ammonium benzoate C7H5O2NH4(s)

Benzoic acid and concentrated ammonia were chosen as reactants and a novel compound (ammonium benzoate) was synthesized using the method of liquid phase reaction. FTIR, elemental analysis and X-ray powder diffraction technique were applied to characterize the structure and composition of the compound. Low-temperature heat capacities of the solid compound were measured by a precision automated adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range from 80 to 399 K. A polynomial equation of the heat capacities was fitted by the least-squares method. In accordance with Hess’ law, a thermochemical cycle was designed, the enthalpy change of the reaction of benzoic acid with ammonium acetate was determined as image, and the standard molar enthalpy of formation of the compound was calculated as image by an isoperibol solution–reaction calorimeter.