JEE Exam  >  JEE Questions  >  Why tertiary amine is less basic than primary... Start Learning for Free
Why tertiary amine is less basic than primary or secondary amines ?
Most Upvoted Answer
Why tertiary amine is less basic than primary or secondary amines ?
Because alkyl groups donate electrons to the more electronegative nitrogen. The inductive effect makes the electron density on the alkylamine's nitrogen greater than the nitrogen of ammonium. Correspondingly, primary,secondary, and tertiary alkyl aminesare more basic than ammonia.
Community Answer
Why tertiary amine is less basic than primary or secondary amines ?
Why tertiary amine is less basic than primary or secondary amines?



  • Introduction: Amines are organic compounds containing nitrogen atom with a lone pair of electrons. They are classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary based on the number of carbon atoms attached to the nitrogen atom.

  • Basicity of amines: Amines are basic in nature due to the presence of a lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom, which can accept protons from an acid. The basicity of amines depends on the availability of the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom.

  • Factors affecting basicity: The basicity of amines is affected by several factors such as size and electronegativity of the substituent groups, steric hindrance, and resonance stabilization.

  • Comparison of basicity: Tertiary amines are less basic than primary or secondary amines due to the following reasons:


    • Steric hindrance: Tertiary amines have three bulky alkyl groups attached to the nitrogen atom, which creates steric hindrance and reduces the availability of the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom. This makes it difficult for the nitrogen atom to accept protons and hence, reduces its basicity.

    • Resonance stabilization: Primary and secondary amines have a lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom, which can participate in resonance stabilization. However, tertiary amines do not have a lone pair of electrons available for resonance stabilization, which reduces their basicity.

    • Electronegativity of substituent groups: The basicity of amines is also affected by the electronegativity of the substituent groups attached to the nitrogen atom. Tertiary amines have three alkyl groups, which are less electronegative than the hydrogen atoms in primary and secondary amines. This reduces the electron density on the nitrogen atom and hence, reduces its basicity.


  • Conclusion: In summary, tertiary amines are less basic than primary or secondary amines due to steric hindrance, lack of resonance stabilization, and lower electron density on the nitrogen atom.

Explore Courses for JEE exam
Why tertiary amine is less basic than primary or secondary amines ?
Question Description
Why tertiary amine is less basic than primary or secondary amines ? for JEE 2024 is part of JEE preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the JEE exam syllabus. Information about Why tertiary amine is less basic than primary or secondary amines ? covers all topics & solutions for JEE 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Why tertiary amine is less basic than primary or secondary amines ?.
Solutions for Why tertiary amine is less basic than primary or secondary amines ? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for JEE. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for JEE Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Why tertiary amine is less basic than primary or secondary amines ? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Why tertiary amine is less basic than primary or secondary amines ?, a detailed solution for Why tertiary amine is less basic than primary or secondary amines ? has been provided alongside types of Why tertiary amine is less basic than primary or secondary amines ? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Why tertiary amine is less basic than primary or secondary amines ? tests, examples and also practice JEE tests.
Explore Courses for JEE exam

Top Courses for JEE

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev