The thermal decomposition reactions of ammonium nitrate (AN) are reviewed. Both neat AN and AN containing various contaminants are examined, however quantitative kinetics results are not encompassed. Also not included is the performance of AN as the oxidizer in rocket propellants or in explosives such as ANFO. The review is intended to be the most comprehensive review of decomposition reactions of AN since Berthelot's treatise of 1892. Despite hundreds of papers on the topic that have appeared in the intervening years, understanding of decomposition mechanisms remains only modestly more complete than it was in Berthelot's day. However, some additional reaction steps and mechanisms have been identified and these are discussed. Explosions of AN most commonly involve fire as the proximate cause, yet chemical‐mechanism research on the topic is nil. A modest number of studies have explored the potentiation of AN decomposition by organic contaminants. These have, thus far, not produced guidance useful for promoting of safety from fire‐related causes. Contamination from inorganic sources, notably chlorides is better understood and some mechanisms have been studied. The UN classification of AN as an oxidizer, instead of as an explosive, should not be interpreted literally, since AN has been associated with numerous detonation disasters.

中文翻译：

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硝酸铵的热分解

综述了硝酸铵（AN）的热分解反应。对纯净AN和含有各种污染物的AN均进行了检查，但是不包括定量动力学结果。还没有包括AN在火箭推进剂或炸药（如ANFO）中作为氧化剂的性能。这篇综述旨在成为自1892年Berthelot的专着以来对AN分解反应的最全面的综述。尽管在此后的几年中发表了数百篇有关该主题的论文，但对分解机理的理解仅比Berthelot的文献略为完整天。但是，已经确定了一些其他的反应步骤和机理，并对其进行了讨论。AN爆炸最常见的原因是起火，然而，关于该主题的化学机理研究还为零。少量的研究已经探索了有机污染物对AN分解的增强作用。迄今为止，这些还没有产生可用于促进火灾相关原因的安全的指导。更好地了解了来自无机源（尤其是氯化物）的污染，并研究了一些机理。联合国不应将AN分类为氧化剂而不是炸药，因为从字面上看，AN已经引起了许多爆炸灾难。值得注意的是，人们对氯化物的了解更好，并且已经研究了一些机理。联合国不应将AN分类为氧化剂而不是炸药，因为从字面上看，AN已经引起了许多爆炸灾难。值得注意的是，人们对氯化物的了解更好，并且已经研究了一些机理。联合国不应将AN分类为氧化剂而不是炸药，因为从字面上看，AN已经引起了许多爆炸灾难。