Question
Which acid is stronger, PH3 or NH3?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
To determine which of the two compounds, PH₃ (phosphine) or NH₃ (ammonia), is a stronger acid, we can look at their ability to donate protons (H⁺ ions).
NH₃ is primarily a weak base rather than an acid, but it can act as a very weak acid by donating a proton to form NH₂⁻ (the amide ion). PH₃ can also act as a weak acid, primarily due to the relatively lower electronegativity of phosphorus compared to nitrogen, which might allow it to donate a proton more readily than ammonia.
However, in general, NH₃ is considered to be a better base and weaker acid than PH₃. This is because ammonia is more stable in its conjugate base form (NH₂⁻) due to the higher electronegativity of nitrogen compared to phosphorus. As a result, while both PH₃ and NH₃ exhibit weak acid behavior, PH₃ is considered to be a slightly stronger acid than NH₃.
In summary, PH₃ is a stronger acid than NH₃.
NH₃ is primarily a weak base rather than an acid, but it can act as a very weak acid by donating a proton to form NH₂⁻ (the amide ion). PH₃ can also act as a weak acid, primarily due to the relatively lower electronegativity of phosphorus compared to nitrogen, which might allow it to donate a proton more readily than ammonia.
However, in general, NH₃ is considered to be a better base and weaker acid than PH₃. This is because ammonia is more stable in its conjugate base form (NH₂⁻) due to the higher electronegativity of nitrogen compared to phosphorus. As a result, while both PH₃ and NH₃ exhibit weak acid behavior, PH₃ is considered to be a slightly stronger acid than NH₃.
In summary, PH₃ is a stronger acid than NH₃.