Final answer:
None of the compounds listed contain the hydroxide ion or is a proton acceptor, which are characteristic of bases. Therefore, the answer is 'none of the above'.
Step-by-step explanation:
The compound that represents a base is not listed within the given options as NH₄Cl, which is composed of the ammonium ion (NH₄+), and is an ionic compound. However, it does not contain the hydroxide ion (OH−), which is a key component of many bases, as bases typically accept protons. A familiar example of a base is NaOH, as it contains the OH− ion that can accept a proton to produce water (H2O).
Bases can also be categorized by the Brønsted-Lowry definition, where a base is any substance that can accept a proton. From the provided compounds, none is a hydroxide-containing compound or a proton acceptor in the context of Brønsted-Lowry theory; therefore, the answer is 'E) none of the above'.