In the given reaction:
\[ \text{NH}_2^- + \text{CH}_3\text{OH} \rightarrow \text{NH}_3 + \text{CH}_3\text{O}^- \]
The Brønsted-Lowry base is defined as a substance that can accept a proton (H⁺). In this reaction, the species that accepts a proton is the NH₂⁻ ion (amide ion), which turns into NH₃ (ammonia) after accepting a proton from methanol (CH₃OH), which acts as an acid.
However, in the product side, we see that the methanol donates a proton, forming CH₃O⁻ (methoxide ion), which indicates that it has lost a proton, thus acting as the Brønsted-Lowry acid.
Therefore, in the context of the original question regarding which one of the given responses is the Brønsted-Lowry base:
The correct Brønsted-Lowry base in this reaction is:
NH2− (cap n cap h sub 2 raised to the negative power)
It acts as a base by accepting a proton from methanol.
1 answer