Bronsted-lowery Acids and Bases
Proton-transfer Reactions
HCl molecule transfers an H+ ion (a protn) to a water molecule.
HCl(g) + H2O(l) ------> H3O+(aq) + Cl-(aq)
Bronsted and lowry proposed defining acids and bases in terms of their ability to transfer protons.
an acidis a substance (molecule or ion) that can donate a proton to another substance.
a Base is a substance that can accept a proton.
when HCl dissolves in water, HCl acts as a Bronsted-Lowry acid (it donates a proton to H2O.)
H2O acts as a Bronsted-lowry base ( it accepts a proton from HCl)
reaction between HCl and NH3, a proton is transferred from the acid HCl to the base NH3.