What is the role of a base in a chemical reaction?

In the context of acid-base chemistry, a base is defined as a proton acceptor according to the Brønsted-Lowry theory. This means that when a base encounters an acid in a reaction, it has the capacity to accept a proton (H⁺ ion) from the acid. This proton transfer is fundamental to various chemical reactions, particularly in neutralization processes where an acid and a base react to form water and a salt.

For example, when ammonia (NH₃) acts as a base, it accepts a proton from an acid like hydrochloric acid (HCl) to form ammonium ions (NH₄⁺). Thus, the role of the base is crucial in facilitating chemical changes by altering the concentration of protons in a solution.

Understanding this concept is essential not only for recognizing how bases function in chemical reactions but also for predicting the outcomes of these interactions in both organic and inorganic chemistry contexts.