Ammonium+Perfuslfate

__ Ammonium Persulfate __
 * Ammonium persulfate (APS)** (NH 4 ) 2 S 2 O 8 is a oxidizing agent and can be used to clean labratory glassware as an atlernative to chromic acid baths. Can be seen as yellowish/white crystals.

Airborne dust from crystals may irritate eyes, nose, throat, lung and skin depending upon contact. High levels of contact may cause difficulty breathing. Ammonium persulfate is soluble in water and the dissolution of salt in water makes it endothermic. It is also a radical initiator and is used to etch copper on printed circuit boards. It was prepared by H. Marshall by the electrolysis of ammonium sulfate and sulfuric acid. This is the same method to prepare potassium persulfate. Ammonium persulfate is an ingredient found in western blot gels and bleach for hair. It forms oxygen free radicals in aqueous solution by a base-catalyzed mechanism. The most common bases used as catalysts are tertiary amines. Ammonium persulfate is highly dangerous. It is caustic, irritant and explosive.