Acid-Base Reaction with Acetic Acid and Ammonia

[needphyshelp]

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
I am trying to determine the products of the equation

CH3CO2H(aq) + NH3


2. Relevant equations
Acid Base reaction

3. The attempt at a solution
I know that this is an acid-base reaction so I assumed it would form a salt (acetate) and water but that doesn't account for nitrogen, and if i do account for acetate (CH3CO2NH4, then there is no water. I am just wondering which method/equation is correct.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks! :smile:

[Ygggdrasil]

You are correct. There is no water formed in this acid base reaction. This is because ammonia is not a classical Arrhenius base. Water will be formed only when the base contains an OH ion.

(note: you can make this into an equation that is more understandable in terms of Arrhenius acid/base theory if you consider the reaction of ammonia with water:

NH3 + H2O --> NH4OH

So the reaction becomes:

CH3COOH + NH4OH --> CH3COONH4 + H2O)