Naturally occurring bases? (1 Viewer)

[The Bograt]

Is there any naturally occuring bases because that is what dot point 9.3.3.13 asks and I can only think of acids!

 

[CM_Tutor]

Nicotine is a weak base, as are a bunch of other naturally occuring nitrogen containing alkaloids, like cocaine, heroin and morphine. Many medications are also weak bases, and so are delivered as the salts - ie any medication whose name is whatever hyrdobromide, or hydrochloride, means that the basic medication whatever is a weak base, and has been made into a (more stable, and usually more soluble) ionic salt, by reacting it with HBr or HCl.

 

[Ragerunner]

Ammonia

 

[CM_Tutor]

It is true that ammonia is a weak base, but where does it occur naturally?

 

[The Bograt]

thankyou

 

[Heinz]

calcium carbonate (limestone) comes to mind. Can't you just use metallic oxides, of which there are many?

 

[Constip8edSkunk]

ammonia only occur naturally in extremely minute ammounts from biodecomposition of microorganisms... as Heinz there are many solid naturally occuring bases, eg. carbonates. As for liquid bases, they are mainly found in living things such as pancreas juice, DNA, blood(only slightly),

 

[Ragerunner]

Originally posted by CM_Tutor
It is true that ammonia is a weak base, but where does it occur naturally?

Ammonia is a naturally occurring compound found in the soil as a product of bacterial action on decaying organic matter.

 

[Constip8edSkunk]

its best not put that in an exam though as its not very common... and may not be accepted as an answer... cuz there are other bases at that concentrations to that would not be normally counted as natural

 

[Ragerunner]

I put ammonia as one of my trial answers and teacher marked it correct.

Though yes, I agree with you, there are other better examples of naturally occuring bases to put instead of ammonia.

 

[CM_Tutor]

Originally posted by Ragerunner
Ammonia is a naturally occurring compound found in the soil as a product of bacterial action on decaying organic matter.

Fair enough.

 

[CM_Tutor]

Originally posted by Constip8edSkunk
ammonia only occur naturally in extremely minute ammounts from biodecomposition of microorganisms... as Heinz there are many solid naturally occuring bases, eg. carbonates. As for liquid bases, they are mainly found in living things such as pancreas juice, DNA, blood(only slightly),

I would not suggest you use DNA, as its name deoxyribonucleic acid, is likely to have some teachers objecting - Yes, I know that it is ionised, and present as the base form, but not all teachers would knw this.

 

[xiao1985]

... ammonia is present in very minute amount comparing to say, limestone...but i didnt' have a choice, therefore, i did put it in if the question demanded...

btw, it is also produced as a form of nitrogenous waste by fresh water fish...

 

[edd91]

look at the bases used as buffers in your blood

 

[Xayma]

Ash also forms a basic solution and that occurs quite readily.

 

[CM_Tutor]

Originally posted by Xayma
Ash also forms a basic solution and that occurs quite readily.

And, it is (unusally for nature) a strong base, as it is potassium hydroxide - at least, for certain types of wood, it is.