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Question: Whether the conjugate base of \( N{H_3} \) is \( N{H^{3 + }} \) or not. Explain why?...

Whether the conjugate base of NH3N{H_3} is NH3+N{H^{3 + }} or not. Explain why?

Explanation

Solution

A conjugate acid, within the Bronsted Lowry acid base theory, is a chemical compound formed when an acid donates a proton (H+)({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+baseconjugate acid + conjugate baseAcid + base \rightleftharpoons \text{conjugate acid + conjugate base}
- Conjugate acid of NH3N{H_3} is NH4+N{H_4}^ + . When NH3N{H_3} takes up a proton, it gets converted to its conjugate acid.
- Conjugate base of NH3N{H_3} is NH2N{H_2}^ - . When NH3N{H_3} 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
2NH3NH4++NH22N{H_3} \rightleftharpoons N{H^{4 + }} + N{H^{2 - }}
And thus here, ammonium ion, NH4+N{H^{4 + }} , is the conjugate acid of ammonia, and amide ion, NH2N{H^{2 - }} , 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.