Why does ammonia (NH3), which does not contain a hydroxide group, act as a base?

A. Ammonia acts as a base only in the presence of hydroxide ion-containing compounds.


B. Ammonia molecules remove protons from water molecules, forming hydroxide ions.


C. Ammonia molecules donate protons to water molecules, forming hydroxide ions.


D. Ammonia acts as a base only in the presence of very strong acids.|||B.





The Nitrogen's remaining electron pair causes it to be a proton acceptor, which defines it as a base.