C₆H₅NH₃⁺ (aq) ⇌ C₆H₅NH₂ (aq) + H⁺ (aq)
Here's a breakdown:
* C₆H₅NH₃⁺ (aq) represents the anilinium ion in aqueous solution.
* C₆H₅NH₂ (aq) represents aniline, the conjugate base of the anilinium ion, also in aqueous solution.
* H⁺ (aq) represents a hydrogen ion (or proton) in aqueous solution.
The reaction is an equilibrium reaction, meaning it proceeds in both directions. The anilinium ion can donate a proton to water, forming aniline and a hydronium ion (H₃O⁺). Conversely, aniline can accept a proton from water to form anilinium ion and hydroxide ion (OH⁻).
The anilinium ion is a weak acid because it only partially dissociates in solution. The equilibrium lies to the left, meaning that there is a higher concentration of anilinium ion than aniline and H⁺ in solution.
