6D.2 AcidÐBase Reactions
A useful definition of acids and bases is that independently introduced by Johannes
Brønsted (1879–1947) and Thomas Lowry (1874–1936) in 1923. In the
Brønsted-Lowry definition, acids are proton donors, and bases are proton acceptors.
Note that these definitions are interrelated. Defining a base as a proton acceptor
means an acid must be available to provide the proton. For example, in reaction
6.7 acetic acid, CH3COOH, donates a proton to ammonia, NH3, which serves
as the base.