Ammonia is a base but does not contain a hydroxyl group. Why?
Ammonia As Base
To know the reason, first we have to know what the base is.
The compound, which reacts with water, liberates hydroxyl ion (OH-). The pH of the base is always greater than 7.
Now, there’s a Strong Base and a Weak Base.
Strong Base: A base that is completely dissociated into its constituent ions when dissolved in water is called a Strong base. It usually acts as a strong electrolyte.
Example: Sodium hydroxide, on reaction with water, liberates sodium ion and hydroxyl ion.
Weak Base: A base that is not completely dissociated into its constituent ions when dissolved in water is called a Weak base. It usually acts as a weak electrolyte.
Example: Ammonia, on reaction with water, forms ammonium ion.
Ammonia is a base but doesn’t contain hydroxyl ion because when ammonia reacts with water, it forms ammonium ion, which on further ionization gives ammonium ion and hydroxyl ion. As the hydroxide ion is liberated on ionizing, it is considered a base even though it doesn’t contain a hydroxyl ion.
– Written By Aashutosh
