NEET Exam  >  NEET Questions  >  Amines are more basic than comparable alcohol... Start Learning for Free
Amines are more basic than comparable alcohols. Why?
Most Upvoted Answer
Amines are more basic than comparable alcohols. Why?
Community Answer
Amines are more basic than comparable alcohols. Why?
**Amines:**

Amines are organic compounds that contain a nitrogen atom bonded to one or more alkyl or aryl groups. They can be classified as primary (RNH2), secondary (R2NH), or tertiary (R3N) amines, depending on the number of alkyl or aryl groups attached to the nitrogen atom. Amines are known to exhibit basic properties.

**Alcohols:**

Alcohols are organic compounds that contain a hydroxyl (-OH) group attached to a carbon atom. They can be classified as primary (RCH2OH), secondary (R2CHOH), or tertiary (R3COH) alcohols, depending on the number of alkyl groups attached to the carbon atom. Alcohols can exhibit both acidic and basic properties, but they are generally weaker bases compared to amines.

**Basicity of Amines vs Alcohols:**

Amines are generally more basic than comparable alcohols due to the following reasons:

1. **Lone Pair of Electrons:** Amines have a lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom, which is available for donation. This lone pair can readily accept a proton (H+) from an acid, making amines good bases. In contrast, alcohols do not have a readily available lone pair of electrons for proton acceptance.

2. **Electronegativity Difference:** The electronegativity of nitrogen is lower than that of oxygen. This difference in electronegativity leads to a greater electron density on the nitrogen atom, making the lone pair of electrons more available for proton acceptance. In alcohols, the higher electronegativity of oxygen tends to attract electron density away from the oxygen atom, making the lone pair of electrons less available.

3. **Stability of Conjugate Acid:** The stability of the conjugate acid formed after accepting a proton also affects the basicity of a compound. Amines form stable ammonium ions, which have resonance stabilization due to the delocalization of the positive charge over the alkyl or aryl groups. This resonance stabilization enhances the basicity of amines. On the other hand, alcohols form alkoxide ions, which are less stable and do not experience resonance stabilization to the same extent.

4. **Inductive Effect:** The alkyl or aryl groups attached to the nitrogen atom in amines can exert an electron-donating inductive effect, which increases the electron density on the nitrogen atom. This increased electron density enhances the basicity of amines. In alcohols, the alkyl groups attached to the oxygen atom can also exert an inductive effect, but it is generally weaker compared to the effect of alkyl groups on nitrogen.

Overall, amines are more basic than comparable alcohols due to the presence of a lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom, the lower electronegativity of nitrogen compared to oxygen, the stability of the formed conjugate acid, and the electron-donating inductive effect of alkyl or aryl groups on nitrogen.
Attention NEET Students!
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed NEET study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in NEET.
Explore Courses for NEET exam

Top Courses for NEET

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

Top Courses for NEET

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