Predict the products formed from the following reaction between propanoic acid and ammonia. Alright. So here, this is our acid, ammonia, which is a neutral nitrogen compound we know is our weak base. Now, since both of these species are weak, we know that we have reversible arrows to show that an equilibrium has been established. If you don't remember this, make sure you go back and take a look at my videos, where we talk about reactions and equilibrium between acids and bases.
So we know following the Bronsted and Lowry definition of acids and bases, that the carboxylic acid gives away an H+ to the ammonia, it becomes a carboxylate anion in the process. The ammonia gains an H+ to become the ammonium ion, so it becomes NH4+. So although we're talking about an organic molecule in terms of carboxylic acid, this is kind of familiar because it follows our Bronsted-Lowry definitions of acids and bases. The acid donates an H+, the base accepts the H+. And in that way, we make our two ions as products.
