Question

Which of the following property of ammonia explains its basic nature?

• A. Reaction with acids
• B. Reaction with bases
• C. Reaction with metal salts
• D. Complex formation

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (C), (D)

Complex formation

Reaction with acids: Due to its basic nature ammonia reacts with acids to produce ammonium salts.
$N{H}_3\left(g\right)+HCl\left(aq\right)\to N{H}_{4}Cl\left(aq\right)2N{H}_3\left(g\right)+H_{2}S{O}_4\left(aq\right)\to \left(N{H}_4{)}_{2}S{O}_4\right(aq)$

Reaction with metal As a weak base, it precipitates ​
the hydroxides of many metals ​from their salt solutions.
$ZnS{O}_4\left(aq\right)+2N{H}_{4}OH\left(aq\right)\to Zn\left(OH{)}_2\right(s)+(N{H}_4{)}_{2}S{O}_4\left(aq\right)2FeC{l}_3\left(aq\right)+3N{H}_{4}OH\left(aq\right)\to F{e}_2{O}_3.x{H}_{2}O+3N{H}_{4}Cl\left(aq\right)$

Complex formation: Ammonia donates the electron pair and​ forms linkage with metal ions and acts as a Lewis base.
$C{u}^{2+}\left(aq\right)+4N{H}_3\left(aq\right)\to \left[Cu\right(N{H}_3{)}_4{]}^{2+}\left(aq\right)C{d}^{2+}\left(aq\right)+4N{H}_3\left(aq\right)\to \left[Cd\right(N{H}_3{)}_4{]}^{2+}\left(aq\right)$

Hence, option (a),(c),(d) are the correct answers.
​