Base (chemistry)

The common (Arrhenius) definition of a base, also known as an alkaline compound, is a chemical compound that either donates hydroxide ions or absorbs hydrogen ions when dissolved in water. Bases and acids are seen as opposites because the effect of an acid is to increase the hydronium ion (H3O) concentration in water, whereas bases reduce this concentration. Arrhenius bases are water-soluble and these solutions always have a pH greater than 7.

Alkalinity of non-hydroxides

Both sodium carbonate and ammonia are bases, although neither of these substances contains OH− groups. That is because both compounds accept H+ when dissolved in water:

Related Topics:
Sodium carbonate - Ammonia

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:mbox{Na}_2mbox{CO}_3+mbox{H}_2mbox{O} o2mbox{Na}^++mbox{HCO}_3^-+mbox{OH}^-

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:mbox{NH}_3+mbox{H}_2mbox{O} ombox{NH}_4^++mbox{OH}^-.

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