Ammonia, NH3, is a weak base because a proton can readily bind to the lone pair...
Ammonia, NH3, is a weak base because a proton can readily bind to the lone pair on the nitrogen to produce the ammonium ion, NH4+. Organic compounds that contain nitrogen are also weak bases for the same reason. Amines are compounds derived from ammonia in which one or more of the hydrogens are replaced by a carbon-containing group (R). The simplest amine is methylamine in which is a "methyl" group, CH3. Its kb is 4.4 X 10-4. Write the balanced equation for the reaction of methylamine with water. What is the Ka for its conjugate acid?