Protonation Definition

Definition: the addition of a proton to an atom, molecule, or ion. Protonation is different from hydrogenation in that during protonation a change in charge of the protonated species occurs, while the charge is unaffected during hydrogenation.

Example: formation of the ammonium group where NH₄⁺ is formed by protonation of ammonia NH₃

Return to the Chemistry Glossary Index