What is ammonolysis?

1 Answer
Mar 27, 2016

Acid base dissociation in liquid ammonia? You might have to give us some context.

Explanation:

As you know the autoprotolysis of water is described by the following equation:

#2H_2O(l) rightleftharpoons H_3O^+ +HO^-#

Liquid ammonia also undergoes a similar acid base reaction. Note that here the SOLVENT is ammonia:

#2NH_3 rightleftharpoons H_2N^(-) + NH_4^+#

This is a much more basic regime (i.e. alkaline regime) than that which occurs in water.

Hydrogen fluoride could also be conceivably used as a solvent:

#2HF rightleftharpoons H_2F^+ + F^-#

This is a more acidic regime than water.