Protonation

Protonation is the addition of a hydrogen ion to a substance. A hydrogen atom normally contains 1 proton and 1 electron. When the hydrogen atom is oxidized, it loses its electron, leaving a H⁺. The H⁺ is the same as a proton. Substances are protonated when hydrogen ions are added to them. For example, when ammonia (NH₃) is protonated, it forms ammonium ions, NH+4.

According to the Brønsted–Lowry acid–base theory, a substance that can be protonated is a base. After being protonated, it becomes the base's conjugate acid.

Related pages

• Deprotonation
• Proton
• Hydrogen