pBlock ElementsII - Result Question 95

91. Give reasons in one or two sentences.

Ammonium chloride is acidic in liquid ammonia solvent.

(1991, 1M)

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Solution:

Ammonia, in liquid state undergo self-ionisation as :

$2 NH _3 \rightleftharpoons NH _4^{+}+NH _2^{-}$

Thus, addition of $NH _4 Cl$ to liquid ammonia increases concentration of $NH _4^{+}$in solution and $NH _4 Cl$ act as acid.