On Ammonium Acetate as Acid or Base Analysis
Taste and seek knowledge in learning, it must be rational and clear. Now on ammonium acetate, is it an acid? Or is it an alkali? This is a chemical question, which should be asked by scientific method and rational speculation.
Ammonium acetate is a salt formed by ammonium ion and acetate ion. To cut it off as an acid or base, first look at the state of its ions in water. Ammonium ions, in aqueous solution, can seize the hydroxide of water molecules and release hydrogen ions. The reaction is as follows: $NH_ {4 }^{+} + H_ {2} O\ rightleftharpoons NH_ {3}\ cdot H_ {2} O + H ^ {+} $, which makes the solution acidic.
Furthermore, acetate ions will combine with hydrogen ions in water to form acetic acid, which is: $CH_ {3} COO ^{-} + H_ {2} O\ rightleftharpoons CH_ {3} COOH + OH ^ {-} $, which in turn makes the solution alkaline.
However, in order to determine the acidity and alkalinity of ammonium acetate, it is necessary to compare the hydrolysis of ammonium ions to produce hydrogen ions and the hydrolysis of acetate ions to produce hydroxide ions. After investigation, the ionization constant of acetic acid is similar to the ionization constant of ammonia monohydrate. Therefore, the degree of hydrolysis of ammonium ions and acetate ions is also similar. Therefore, in ammonium acetate aqueous solution, the concentration of hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions is almost equal, and the solution is roughly neutral.
In summary, ammonium acetate is neither a simple acid nor a simple base. Because of its hydrolytic properties, it is nearly neutral in water. The nature of the probe needs to be carefully observed, and the truth can only be obtained by reasoning.