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Why is ammonium nitrate used in both fertilizers and explosives?

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Difference in molecular structure between ammonia/amines and quaternary ammonium ions — ammonia Ammonia and amines have a slightly flattened trigonal pyramidal shape with a lone pair of electrons above the nitrogen. In quaternary ammonium ions, this area is occupied by a fourth substituent.

Ammonium nitrate ( $N H_{4} N O_{3}$ ) is a versatile chemical compound utilized in both agriculture and industry due to its unique chemical properties.

Use in Fertilizers

Ammonium nitrate is a highly effective fertilizer because it contains approximately 33.5 percent nitrogen, all of which is in a form that plants can readily utilize for growth. Its high solubility in water allows for efficient distribution and absorption in agricultural settings.1

Use in Explosives

The compound's role in explosives stems from its ability to undergo rapid decomposition. It functions in two primary ways:
* Oxidizing Agent: It acts as an oxidizer in mixtures such as ammonals (ammonium nitrate mixed with powdered aluminum).1
* Modification: It is used to modify the detonation rates of other explosive materials, such as nitroglycerin, in products known as ammonia dynamites.1

Because solid ammonium nitrate can undergo explosive decomposition when heated in confined spaces, its storage and transport are subject to strict government regulations to ensure public safety.1