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Azodicarbonamide is a crystalline yellow to orange-red powder with virtually no odor. The compound decomposes exothermically at relatively low temperatures without melting, releasing gas quantitatively. Commercial grades are available with different particle sizes (5-20 μm) and activation temperatures (155-210°C).
IUPAC Name: (E)-diazenedicarboxamide
Common Industrial Names: Azodicarbonamide, ADA, Azobisformamide
Alternative Chemical Names: 1,1'-Azobisformamide, Diazenedicarboxylic acid diamide
Food Additive Designation: E927a
CAS Registry Number: 123-77-3
EC Number: 204-650-8
UN Number: 3223 (Self-reactive substance)
Molecular Architecture:
Molecular Formula: C₂H₄N₄O₂
Structural Formula: H₂NC(O)N=NC(O)NH₂
SMILES Notation: C(=O)(N)N=NC(=O)N
Molecular Mass: 116.08 g/mol
Exact Mass: 116.0334 Da
Physical Property Data:
Appearance: Yellow to orange crystalline powder
Decomposition Temperature: 195-210°C (start), varies with activation system
Gas Yield: 220 mL/g at STP (theoretical: 240 mL/g)
Gas Composition: ~65% N₂, ~32% CO, ~3% CO₂, traces of NH₃
Density: 1.65 g/cm³
Bulk Density: 300-600 kg/m³ (depending on grade)
Solubility:
Water: <0.1 g/100 mL at 25°C
DMF: 1.5 g/100 mL at 25°C
DMSO: 2.0 g/100 mL at 25°C
Insoluble in most organic solvents
Autoignition Temperature: 240°C (dust cloud)
Chemical Behavior and Decomposition Mechanism:
ADA decomposes through a complex radical mechanism initiated by heat or chemical activators:
Activation Systems:
Zinc compounds: Zinc oxide, zinc stearate (reduce decomposition temp to 155-165°C)
Urea derivatives: Reduce decomposition temperature
Barium/cadmium compounds: Historical use, now largely discontinued
Decomposition Reaction:
H₂NC(O)N=NC(O)NH₂ → N₂ + CO + (H₂NC(O))₂NH (biuret) + other products
The decomposition is highly exothermic (ΔH ~ -150 kJ/mol) and can be controlled by particle size, activator type, and processing conditions.
Industrial Applications:
Polymer Foaming Agent:*
PVC foams: Major application for closed-cell foams (flooring, wall coverings, automotive)
Polyolefins: LDPE, HDPE, PP foams (requires activation)
Rubber: Sponge rubber, shoe soles, gaskets
EVA: Foam sheets, sports mats
Food Industry (as E927a):*
Flour treatment agent: Improves baking qualities (maximum 45 ppm in flour)
Dough conditioner: Develops gluten structure, increases loaf volume
Bleaching agent: For flour maturation
Other Applications:*
Blowing agent for ceramics: Creates porosity
Gas generator: In aircraft emergency slides and life vests
Yeast nutrient in winemaking
Analytical Characterization:
Spectroscopic Methods:
UV-Vis Spectroscopy: λmax = 385 nm (ε = 21,000) in DMF
FT-IR Spectroscopy: ν(N-H) 3400, 3320 cm⁻¹, ν(C=O) 1720, 1680 cm⁻¹, ν(N=N) 1570 cm⁻¹, ν(C-N) 1320 cm⁻¹
Raman Spectroscopy: Strong band at 1575 cm⁻¹ (N=N stretch)
Chromatographic Methods:*
HPLC-UV: C18 column, water/methanol gradient, detection at 254 nm
GC-MS: After derivatization, for decomposition products analysis
Safety and Regulatory:
OSHA PEL: 0.1 mg/m³ (as respirable dust)
Food use: FDA 21 CFR 172.806, maximum 45 ppm in flour
Decomposition hazards: Can produce semicarbazide (SEM) under certain conditions
GHS Classification: Skin sensitization, Specific target organ toxicity
SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT AZODI
First aid measures:
Description of first aid measures:
General advice:
Consult a physician.
Show this safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
Move out of dangerous area:
If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air.
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact:
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately.
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.
Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact:
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and consult a physician.
Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed:
Do NOT induce vomiting.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Rinse mouth with water.
Consult a physician.
Firefighting measures:
Extinguishing media:
Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
Special hazards arising from the substance or mixture
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas
Advice for firefighters:
Wear self-contained breathing apparatus for firefighting if necessary.
Accidental release measures:
Personal precautions, protective equipment and emergency procedures
Use personal protective equipment.
Avoid breathing vapours, mist or gas.
Evacuate personnel to safe areas.
Environmental precautions:
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Soak up with inert absorbent material and dispose of as hazardous waste.
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.
Handling and storage:
Precautions for safe handling:
Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed and kept upright to prevent leakage.
Storage class (TRGS 510): 8A: Combustible, corrosive hazardous materials
Exposure controls/personal protection:
Control parameters:
Components with workplace control parameters
Contains no substances with occupational exposure limit values.
Exposure controls:
Appropriate engineering controls:
Handle in accordance with good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
Wash hands before breaks and at the end of workday.
Personal protective equipment:
Eye/face protection:
Tightly fitting safety goggles.
Faceshield (8-inch minimum).
Use equipment for eye protection tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or EN 166(EU).
Skin protection:
Handle with gloves.
Gloves must be inspected prior to use.
Use proper glove
removal technique (without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product.
Dispose of contaminated gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices.
Wash and dry hands.
Full contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
Splash contact
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0.11 mm
Break through time: 480 min
Material tested:Dermatril (KCL 740 / Aldrich Z677272, Size M)
It should not be construed as offering an approval for any specific use scenario.
Body Protection:
Complete suit protecting against chemicals, The type of protective equipment must be selected according to the concentration and amount of the dangerous substance at the specific workplace.
Respiratory protection:
Where risk assessment shows air-purifying respirators are appropriate use a fullface respirator with multi-purpose combination (US) or type ABEK (EN 14387) respirator cartridges as a backup to engineering controls.
If the respirator is the sole means of protection, use a full-face supplied air respirator.
Use respirators and components tested and approved under appropriate government standards such as NIOSH (US) or CEN (EU).
Control of environmental exposure
Prevent further leakage or spillage if safe to do so.
Do not let product enter drains.
Discharge into the environment must be avoided.
Stability and reactivity:
Chemical stability:
Stable under recommended storage conditions.
Incompatible materials:
Strong oxidizing agents:
Hazardous decomposition products:
Hazardous decomposition products formed under fire conditions.
Carbon oxides, Nitrogen oxides (NOx), Hydrogen chloride gas.
Disposal considerations:
Waste treatment methods:
Product:
Offer surplus and non-recyclable solutions to a licensed disposal company.
Contact a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material.
Contaminated packaging:
Dispose of as unused product
