Question

What is the action of the following reagents on ammonia:
(a) Nessler's reagent
(b) Sodium metal

Answer 1

(a) When Nessler's reagent $K_2\left[Hg{I}_4\right]$ is added to ammonia, an orange coloured complex is formed.

(b) When sodium metal is treated with ammonia, sodamide $\left(NaN{H}_2\right)$ is formed.
i.e.

$2Na+2N{H}_3\to \underset{sodamide}{2NaN{H}_2}+H_2\uparrow$