OH⁻ (l) + NH₃ (l) ⇌ NH₂⁻ (l) + H₂O (l)
Explanation:
* OH⁻ (l): Hydroxide ion in liquid ammonia.
* NH₃ (l): Liquid ammonia, acting as a solvent and a weak acid.
* NH₂⁻ (l): Amide ion, the conjugate base of ammonia, formed by the removal of a proton (H⁺).
* H₂O (l): Water, formed by the combination of the proton removed from ammonia and the hydroxide ion.
Mechanism:
Hydroxide ion, being a strong base in liquid ammonia, readily accepts a proton from ammonia. This results in the formation of the amide ion (NH₂⁻), a stronger base than ammonia, and water. This reaction highlights the Brønsted-Lowry definition of acids and bases, where a base accepts a proton.
Note: This reaction lies heavily to the right, indicating that the hydroxide ion is a strong base in liquid ammonia and readily reacts to form the amide ion.