Question
Question: Whether the conjugate base of \( N{H_3} \) is \( N{H^{3 + }} \) or not. Explain why?...
Whether the conjugate base of NH3 is NH3+ or not. Explain why?
Solution
A conjugate acid, within the Bronsted Lowry acid base theory, is a chemical compound formed when an acid donates a proton (H+) to a base. It is a base with a hydrogen ion added to it, as in the reverse reaction it loses a hydrogen ion.
Complete answer:
A conjugate base is what is left over after an acid has donated a proton during a chemical reaction. Hence, a conjugate base is a species formed by the removal of a proton from an acid, as in the reverse reaction it is able to gain a hydrogen ion. Also, conjugate base is a species formed by the removal of a proton from an acid, as in the reverse reaction it is able to gain a hydrogen ion.
Acid+base⇌conjugate acid + conjugate base
− Conjugate acid of NH3 is NH4+ . When NH3 takes up a proton, it gets converted to its conjugate acid.
− Conjugate base of NH3 is NH2− . When NH3 releases a proton it gets converted to its conjugate base.
However, we could move to a different solvent. Ammonia, which may be easily condensed in a laboratory undergoes a reaction
2NH3⇌NH4++NH2−
And thus here, ammonium ion, NH4+ , is the conjugate acid of ammonia, and amide ion, NH2− , is its conjugate base.
Note:
The strength of a conjugate acid is directly proportional to its dissociation constant. If a conjugate acid is strong, its dissociation will have a higher equilibrium constant and the products of the reaction will be favored. The strength of a conjugate base can be seen as the tendency of the species to pull hydrogen protons towards itself.