Question

Account for the basic nature of liquid ammonia compound.

Answer 1

Liquid ammonia is liquefied ammonia and it is basic in nature. It dissolves in water to give ammonium hydroxide, which ionises to give hydroxyl ions.

\[\ce{NH3 + H2O ->[(aq)] NH4OH}\]

\[\ce{NH4OH <=> NH^+4_{(aq)} + OH^-_{ (aq)}}\]

Therefore, it turns red litmus blue, turmeric paper brown, and phenolphthalein solution pink.