Question

Is ethylamine a Bronsted-Lowry base?

Answer 1

Yes, ethylamine, `CH_3CH_2NH_2`, can act as a Bronsted-Lowry base because of the lone pair of electrons present on the nitrogen atom.

For example, when it reacts with water, ethylamine will accept a proton, `H^(+)`, from water and form the ethylammonium ion.

`CH_3CH_2NH_(2(aq)) + H_2O_((l)) rightleftharpoons overbrace(CH_3CH_2NH_(3(aq))^(+))^(color(blue)("ethylammonium ion")) + OH_((aq))^(-)`

By definition, any compound that can act as a proton acceptor is a Bronsted-Lowry base.